BRAZIL:
Hailed as one of the great hopes of Brazilian football, 17-year-old rising star Edric received his first national team call-up on Monday as coach Fernando Diniz looks to replace injured star Neymar.
Edric, 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 then. Ronaldo in 1994.
“He is a player with the potential to become a great talent,” Diniz said at a press conference, announcing his line-up.
“This call is not pressure. It is a reward and also a glimpse into the future of what the child can be.”
Edric, who was reportedly bought from Real Madrid for a transfer fee of €72m, is fresh to score as his current club Palmeiras came back from three goals down to beat leaders Botafogo 4-3 on Wednesday.
Five-time World Cup winners Brazil will face Colombia away on November 16 in Barranquilla and Argentina on November 21 at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana Stadium.
Diniz, who won the Copa Libertadores on Saturday in his second job as coach of Rio’s Fluminense, has largely overhauled Brazil’s attack with Neymar sidelined with a knee injury.
Also in line for their senior debuts are Brighton striker 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.
Apart from the 31-year-old Neymar — who has been sidelined for several months by a knee injury suffered on Oct. 17 in Brazil’s 2-0 loss to Uruguay in their final 2026 World Cup qualifier — Brazil will be missing also its captain, Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, was ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury.
The Brazilian team
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool, ENG), Anderson (Manchester City, ENG), Lucas Perry (Botafogo)
Defenders: Emerson Royal (Tottenham, ENG), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan, ITA), Renan Lodi (Marseille, FRA), Bremer (Juventus, ITA), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal, ENG), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA ). ), Nino (Fluminense)
Midfielders: Andre (Fluminense), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle, ENG), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa, ENG), Zoelindon (Newcastle, ENG), Rafael Vega (Palmeiras), Rodrigo (Real Madrid, ESP)
Forwards: Edric (Palmeiras), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal, ENG), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal, ENG), Joao Pedro (Brighton, ENG), Paulinho (Atletico Mineiro), Pepe (Porto, PORT), Rafinha (Barcelona, ESP) , Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, ESP)
a href=”https://tribune.com.pk/story/2445414/endrick-gets-first-call-up-at-17″>Source link