Casemiro gave an interview to TNT Sports and, among other topics, spoke about Endrick in the Brazil national team, because there is a real debate around that. Brazil are dealing with injuries, there are starting players who will miss the World Cup and that naturally opens space for others. Right now, there are one or two spots still undecided, between names like Paquetá, Neymar, Endrick, and others.
Casemiro says that people cannot put pressure on Endrick because he is young and will not solve Brazil’s problems. And honestly, I agree, but we both know how special Endrick is and because of that, the pressure will always exist. And beyond that, in the middle of the mediocrity that Brazil’s attack has shown, not in talent, but on the pitch, it makes sense to expect something from a 19-year-old striker like him.
Whenever he comes on, he shows personality. And honestly, that alone is already praised a lot, because there are other “stars” who seem to lack that completely. We have even seen it in the comments about Neymar still being the face of the ‘Hexa’. But the real issue is something else.
Casemiro says Endrick is not part of the “group” and that clearly gives the impression that there is a closed group of players who go to the national team. In other words, call-ups are not only about quality and current form, but also about preferences, and that cannot happen.
The national team should be about the moment. The best players at that time have to go. If I only had one spot available, I would take Endrick far more than Neymar, because Neymar simply cannot deliver physically anymore and technically, it is only isolated moments now. There is no consistency. He is not reliable.
Casemiro is the captain and of course he has to speak. But he cannot say things like this as if he is deciding for the manager who goes and who does not. So Endrick should miss out just so Neymar can go? That makes no sense.
And I know it is difficult for people who do not regularly watch Neymar play, but it needs to be accepted: he simply cannot do it anymore.
Conclusion
There are ways to say things. Casemiro is right to protect Endrick because the pressure is real, but saying he is not part of the “group”… so that “group” is closed? Do players not get selected only on merit anymore?
There are very few spots available and Endrick has to go to the 2026 World Cup.