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Neymar’s Injury Paves the Way for Endrick’s Call-Up
Brazil has announced the selection of 18-year-old forward Endrick to fill the gap left by Neymar, who has sustained a muscle injury and will miss the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. This decision underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Brazil’s star player, who was looking forward to making a return to the national team after an extended absence.
Neymar’s anticipated comeback, following a prolonged 17-month hiatus due to a knee injury from an October 2023 match against Uruguay, has been thwarted once again. The 33-year-old forward expressed his disappointment on Instagram, stating, “The return seemed so close, but unfortunately I won’t be able to wear the most important jersey in the world for the moment.”
He further elaborated, “We had long conversations and everyone knows of my desire to return, but we agreed that it’s best not to take any risks and prepare as best as possible to completely eradicate the injury.” This statement reflects Neymar’s commitment to his recovery and highlights the importance of careful management of his fitness.
Having experienced a challenging stint at Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Neymar made a return to his boyhood club, Santos, earlier this year. Despite the setback, he has managed to score three goals and provide three assists in just seven matches in the Brazilian league.
Neymar ranks second in all-time appearances for the Brazilian national team, with 128 caps, just behind legendary player Cafu, who holds 142. In addition, he is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, with 79 goals, surpassing the legendary Pelé by two goals.
In light of Neymar’s injury, Brazil’s head coach Dorival Jr has also made additional changes to the squad, bringing in Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri to replace Manchester City’s Ederson and adding Flamengo defender Alex Sandro in place of Danilo.
Endrick, who has been making his mark at Real Madrid this season with 28 appearances and six goals across competitions, has already shown promise on the international stage. He has made 13 appearances for the national team, contributing three goals, and his inclusion could provide a valuable opportunity for the young talent to shine in these crucial qualifying matches.
Source
www.bbc.com