Endrick back in Brazil team while Neymar sits out due to fitness

Endrick back in Brazil team while Neymar sits out due to fitness
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Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti announced on Monday that Neymar remains below full fitness and will therefore skip the upcoming pair of friendly matches, with young talent Endrick making a comeback to the national team.

The Santos star has been absent from Brazil duty since October 2023 following a major knee problem, though he has featured in four outings for his club side since the middle of February.

At 34 years old, Neymar will not take part in the warm-up games ahead of the World Cup against France on 27 March in Boston or against Croatia four days afterwards in Orlando.

Brazil kick off their campaign for a sixth World Cup triumph, their first since 2002, versus Morocco in New Jersey on 13 June, followed by encounters with Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

Ancelotti explained to the media, I did not include him this time as he is not fully fit.

However, regarding the definitive World Cup roster, that will be a different matter, the 66-year-old coach continued.

Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo and Newcastle playmaker Bruno Guimaraes are both out injured.

Endrick, aged 19, last appeared in one of his 14 caps for Brazil a year ago.

His return comes after a series of strong showings since moving to Lyon on loan from Real Madrid.

Ancelotti signed the teenager for Real Madrid in 2024 from Palmeiras.

The Italian coach has also picked two players without prior international experience, Brentford forward Igor Thiago and Bournemouth youngster Rayan.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool/ENG), Bento (Al-Nassr/KSA), Ederson (Fenerbahce/TUR)

Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus/ITA), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint-Petersburg/RUS), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal/ENG), Ibanez (Al-Ahli/KSA), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris SG/FRA), Wesley (Roma/ITA)

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea/ENG), Casemiro (Manchester United/ENG), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad/KSA), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray/TUR)

Forwards: Endrick (Lyon/FRA), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal/ENG), Igor Thiago (Brentford/ENG), Joao Pedro (Chelsea/ENG), Luiz Henrique (Zenit Saint-Petersburg/RUS), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United/ENG), Raphinha (Barcelona/ESP), Rayan (Bournemouth/ENG), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid/ESP)