Ancelotti’s Brazil dilemma: Has Endrick earned the right to lead the attack?

ForwardEndrick said he was “happy” to have put in a good second half in the Brazil national team’s6-2 victory over Panama, and to have made coach Carlo Ancelotti doubt his starting eleven ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

“I am very grateful. God also blessed Rayan and Igor Thiago. I’m happy because that creates doubts in Carletto’s mind,” the young striker told the media after the friendly match played at Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.

I didn’t score, but I helped create goals, making runs and in some goals as well

Endrick

Endrick was one of the ten changes Ancelotti introduced at halftime and the team improved substantially.

The Canarinha’s No. 19 formed a front three alongside Rayan and Igor Thiago, with Lucas Paquetá as the playmaker, and although he did not score, he was key to the “verdeamarelo” onslaught in the second half, when Rayan, Igor Thiago, and Paquetá themselves found the net.

“I didn’t score, but I helped set up goals, running and in some goals as well. Now we have to keep going and, God willing, have a good preparation for the World Cup,” said Endrick, who was on loan last season at Olympique de Lyon.

Everyone who is here is qualified. We know that Ancelotti is a winner, that he does things differently

Endrick

However, he stressed that the starting quartet of attackers, made up of Vinícius, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha and Luiz Henrique, is of “high level” and is convinced that it will always help Brazil.

Nevertheless, he promised that when Ancelotti’s B unit comes off the bench, he will give his all.

“Everyone here is capable. We know that Carletto is a winner, someone who does things differently. We have to follow the manager’s plan and do what he asks of us,” he commented. 

Casemiro acknowledges “some difficulties” against Panama at Maracanã

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was not entirely satisfied with the first half his national team played in the friendly against Panama, and acknowledged that they had “some difficulties”.

“The match was good. In the first half we had some difficulties. I think we came out better in the second half. They got tired and we changed” to ten players, explained the former Manchester United player in statements to the media after the match, played at Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.

Casemiro also highlighted the “good connection” with the fans and the “warmth” they gave them, with more than 70,000 supporters, before heading to the United States to complete their preparations ahead of their debut against Morocco next June 13 in New Jersey.

The former Real Madrid midfielder also captained Brazil. He played only the first half, but made it 2-1 just before halftime with a header from a Vinícius Júnior cross.

At halftime, Ancelotti changed ten of the eleven players, including Casemiro, and the team unleashed itself until the final 6-2.

In this regard, he praised Igor Thiago’s “dirty work” at the front of the attack. As a result of his pressure on the opposing goalkeeper, the Brentford striker allowed Rayan to score his first goal for the senior national team and then won a penalty that he himself converted.

“Of course Rayan’s goal is of extremely high quality, but he (for Igor Thiago) pressed and forced the goalkeeper’s mistake. He did the dirty work and it’s important to value that,” he emphasized.