Brazil head coach Dorival Júnior has clarified his decision to leave Real Madrid starlet Endrick out of Brazil’s squad for their final two 2024 World Cup qualifying matches, against Venezuela and Uruguay, Soccernet.football reports.
The young forward, who joined Real Madrid from Palmeiras in a high-profile move, has seen limited game time in recent weeks, and that, according to Dorival, was a critical factor in his omission.
Speaking on Endrick’s absence, Dorival emphasised the importance of selecting players who are actively competing for their clubs, particularly when the time for training is limited.
“Some important names are left out, like Endrick,” Dorival said as per MundoDeportivo. “But we have a situation that needs to be clearly defined. There is a greater weight on those who are actively participating because we do not have time to train or to make up for lost time. We must consider these details.”
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Dorival was careful to stress that this decision does not mark the end of Endrick’s national team aspirations.
He expressed understanding for the 17-year-old’s transition at Real Madrid, acknowledging the patience needed for the youngster to settle into life at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
“Endrick has been crucial in some games. He is going through a transition phase at the biggest football club in the world. It is a natural process of adaptation, and it takes time. We need to live with this situation. The doors are not closed for Endrick; he knows this, and I have confidence in him,” Dorival added.
The coach further explained his policy for national team selection, underlining that his approach favours players who are match-fit and actively involved in club competitions.
“The patience I’m talking about is the same that the club is showing, to understand him better with his arrival, acquiring greater knowledge of the environment, which takes time,” Dorival said.
“It’s natural that players who are not participating in their clubs create a challenging situation for us. I have always defended that those who are playing should be here.
“There are players who have not played in the last two or three games. We need a different attitude. If you want to understand a call-up, it comes down to this preference for those who are active. There is no time to recover physically.”
Dorival’s comments underline his commitment to a squad ready to perform, making his reasoning clear for Endrick’s temporary absence. The young talent’s future with Brazil remains open, contingent on his progress and development at Real Madrid.
