The Brazilian FA announced on Friday that teenage Real Madrid attacker Endrick will replace the injured Neymar in this month’s World Cup qualifiers. Neymar was ready to return to Brazil after more than a year off with a knee injury suffered in late 2023.
The 33-year-old will miss World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina due to a muscular ailment. Dorival Jr. has also called up Flamengo defender Alex Sandro to replace Danilo and Olympique Lyonnais goalkeeper Lucas Perri for Ederson.
“Over the last few days the Brazilian national team’s medical department has been updating us on the situation of all the players, especially Danilo, Neymar and Ederson,” Dorival Jr said in a CBF report.
The national team’s medical department updated us on each player’s condition after assessments. Therefore, we’re calling Lucas Perri from Lyon, Alex Sandro from Flamengo, and Endrick from Real Madrid.”
Brazil, fifth in CONMEBOL with 18 points from 12 games, hosts fourth-placed Colombia on March 21 and visits leaders Argentina five days later.
The top six teams from the US, Mexico, and Canada qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
