Endrick, seventeen-year-old sensation, has achieved a remarkable milestone by earning a spot in the senior Brazil squad for the very first time.
In a surprising move, coach Fernando Diniz has also handed maiden call-ups to Joao Pedro, Paulinho, and Pepe for the FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
One notable return to the squad is Douglas Luiz, who is making a comeback after two years. However, the long-time regular, Richarlison, has been left out of the squad for these crucial matches.
Unfortunately, several key players like Danilo, Eder Militao, Casemiro, and Neymar, who is recovering from ACL surgery, are sidelined due to injuries.
Endrick, who is set to join Real Madrid next year, has been making waves with his performances, netting three goals in his last two appearances for Palmeiras. His call-up to the senior Seleção makes him the youngest player to achieve this feat since Ronaldo in 1994.
Paulinho, 23, has also earned a well-deserved spot in the squad after scoring five goals in his last three games for Atletico Mineiro.
He currently shares the title of the joint-leading goal scorer in the Campeonato Brasileiro alongside Tiquinho Soares. Notably, Paulinho played a crucial role in helping Brazil secure Olympic gold two years ago.
Diniz made the squad announcement just two days after leading Fluminense to their first-ever Copa Libertadores victory. Nino and Andre, who played pivotal roles in Fluminense’s triumph over Boca Juniors in the final, are part of Diniz’s squad.
The most surprising omission, however, is Richarlison, who has featured in all four Brazil matches under Diniz, starting three of them.
Brazil’s upcoming matches will be against Colombia in Baranquilla on Thursday, 16 October, followed by a home game against Argentina at the Maracana five days later.
The team currently occupies the third position in South American qualifying, with seven points from a possible 12. The top six teams will secure automatic qualification for FIFA World Cup 26, while the seventh-placed finishers will compete in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
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