Soccer
Endrick has said he was “at peace” with his role as a substitute for Brazil at the World Cup and backed Carlo Ancelotti to continue making the right decisions.
The 19-year-old has featured three times for Brazil at this year’s tournament, all of which have come from the bench, totalling just 79 minutes of action for the Selecao.
He replaced the injured Lucas Paqueta at half-time during Brazil’s dramatic late win against Japan last time out, a result that teed up a clash with Norway in the last 16.
Endrick is a player that Ancelotti knows well, with the Italian having signed the talented teenager from Palmeiras in 2024, though he has struggled to settle in the Spanish capital.
During the second half of the 2025-26 season, Endrick spent the second half of the season on loan at Lyon, where he managed eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances across all competitions.
Many Brazilian supporters have called for Endrick to play a bigger role for Brazil at the World Cup, but he praised Ancelotti for putting the needs of the team ahead of individuals.
“He won’t do what’s best for me, he’ll do what’s best for the team,” Endrick said. “He’s not afraid of making the hard decisions; he does what he thinks is right, and things happen.
“It’s as if God is watching over him. Because whatever Carlo does, things just work out.
“When the manager tells me to do something, I won’t look back; I’ll just do what he asks.”
Asked whether uncertainty over his playing time would affect him, having endured a similar situation at Madrid under Xabi Alonso, Endrick said he would remain calm.
“I reckon I’ll sleep like a baby,” Endrick added. “I’ll be really at peace because, before I go to sleep, I think the most important thing is what I do: saying my prayers, talking to God, and being confident that things will happen at the right time.”
Brazil are looking to win four straight World Cup matches for the first time since a run of 11 between 2002 and 2006 when they face Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium.
They have progressed from nine of their last 10 matches in the last 16 round of the World Cup, only failing to do so in 1990 (1-0 defeat to Argentina).
And Endrick said that simply being a part of Brazil’s 26-man World Cup squad was already a significant milestone in his career, and was confident he would deliver when called upon for the rest of the tournament.
“I’m very grateful to be here; for me, just being part of this squad and playing in a World Cup is a victory in itself,” Endrick added.
“I’m very well-prepared for this moment, but there are 26 of us players, and we’re all waiting for our chance. The important thing is to be ready when that chance comes along.”
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