Brazil call-up for phenom Endrick

Seventeen-year-old rising star Endrick, hailed as one of Brazilian soccer's great hopes, got his first call-up for national team duty on Monday as coach Fernando Diniz seeks to replace injured star Neymar.

Endrick, who is set to join Real Madrid when he turns 18 in July 2024, could make his senior international debut in Brazil's World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina this month, making him the youngest player to receive a call-up for the Selecao since Ronaldo in 1994.

"He's a player with the potential to be a great talent," Diniz told a news conference, announcing his squad. "This call-up isn't pressure. It's a reward, and also a look at the future of what the kid can be."

Endrick, who has reportedly joined Spanish giant Madrid for a transfer fee of 72 million euros ($77 million), is fresh off scoring a clutch brace for his current club, Palmeiras, last Wednesday.

Five-time World Cup winner Brazil will face Colombia away on Nov 16 in Barranquilla and arch-rival Argentina on Nov 21 in Rio de Janeiro.

Diniz, who won the Copa Libertadores on Saturday in his second job as coach of Rio club Fluminense, largely overhauled Brazil's attack with Neymar sidelined by a knee injury.

Also in line for their senior debuts are Brighton forward Joao Pedro, 22, Atletico Mineiro's Paulinho, 23, and Porto's Pepe, 26.

In a surprise move, Diniz left out Tottenham striker Richarlison, a starter at the 2022 World Cup.

Besides 31-year-old Neymar — sidelined for several months by a knee injury sustained on Oct 17 in Brazil's 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay — Brazil will also be missing their captain, Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, due to a hamstring injury.

AFP