Endrick, Vinicius and Rodrygo arrive for Brazil duty

When Brazil’s interim coach, Fernando Diniz, released the senior squad list, it was the starting signal for a new era. Neymar’s serious injury and Richarlison’s bad vein of form saw Endrick called up to the senior team at the age of 17 years and three months, the youngest player to be named since Ronaldo in 1993. It is a new era too for Madrid, who plan to have in their squad the Brazil strike force of the future, as Endrick will join Rodrygo (22) and Vinicius (23) in June.

Endrick’s call-up caused a sporting tsunami in Brazil. Firstly due to the importance of the timing, as his call-up comes ahead of two important matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers: the first in Barranquilla against Colombia; the second against Argentina, no less.

Secondly, Endrick’s call-up is historic as there are only four other Brazilians who were called up as minors: Edu, Pelé, Coutinho and Ronaldo Nazario... and all of them became world champions.

Vini & Rodrygo to help Endrick settle

Comparisons between Endrick and Ronaldo are common these days in Brazil. O Fenómeno was called up when he had played 47 games and scored 44 goals for Cruzeiro; Endrick has played 56 games and scored 15 goals for Palmeiras, 12 of them after signing for Real Madrid: twelve goals that have already cost €5 million to the Spanish club. The club paid €35 million for him plus €25 million for objectives and this - €2.5 million for every five goals scored before he makes the move to Spain - is one of them. Another objective was to be called up with Brazil’s senior team, but the amount to be paid has not yet been disclosed.

Rodrygo celebrated Endrick’s call-up: “I am happy for him, for the great moment he is going through, for the time he is having at Palmeiras. Now Vini and I will also train with him in the national team, and let’s see if he gets into a flow so that when he arrives at Madrid everything will be easier”.

As well as Endrick, Neymar’s injury has left Vinicius as the headliner. Despite his age, he has already played 25 games and scored 3 goals for Brazil, where he is a settled starter.

Rodrygo thanks Ancelotti for re-finding his form

Only Arsenal (Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli) have as many players as Madrid (Vini, Rodrygo and Endrick) in the Brazil squad. Yesterday was the first day at the CBF headquarters, and today is the first training session. A new era begins, both for Brazil and for Madrid.

At this point no one can question that Vinicius (23) and Rodrygo (22) are certain bets in Brazil’s squads. Despite the young ages, together they have 44 appearances (3 goals in 25 for Vinicius, 4 in 19 for Rodrygo). “Vini and I,” Rodrygo said in a recent interview on Brazilian television TNT, “have been calm and together in the dressing room, and that’s why after the goals (against Valencia) we went to thank Ancelotti, because in those not-so-good moments those people are the ones you value. I have not been good,” admitted Rodrygo about this season.

“He (Ancelotti) helped me a lot by talking to me every day, after training... Trying to find ways to improve... I can’t do anything else but thank him for everything,” he said about the coach.

‘Endrick is a breath of fresh air after so much Neymar’

“There’s a lot of excitement about Endrick’s call-up, he’s a guy we like. He’s always happy and smiling, and he gives off a good vibe,” Diego Lima, a Palmeiras journalist, told AS. “There is a current opinion that says that against Colombia the three will start from the beginning. But this is speculation. Endrick is a breath of fresh air after so much Neymar, Neymar, and Neymar.... I think it will be the first of many more to come,” he said.

As for Endrick himself, he was like a kid with new shoes: “Yes, there is pressure on me, but I try not to pay attention to it. I only think of positive things to be happy about. I have my head on straight, doing the right things and I just have to thank God, my family and all my teammates for everything...”.