Key Takeaways:
- Endrick has accepted a place on the bench for Brazil at his first World Cup, accumulating substitute appearances in recent matches
- The 19-year-old praised manager Carlo Ancelotti’s decision-making ahead of Brazil’s last-16 fixture against Norway on Sunday
- Brazil’s forward line and squad selection continue to be closely watched, with fans calling for Endrick’s increased participation
Endrick Values Team Decisions Over Personal Ambition
Throughout his debut World Cup campaign, Endrick has largely featured as a substitute rather than a starter for Brazil. Having not appeared in the opener against Morocco, he played 26 minutes versus Haiti, participated late on against Scotland, and contributed a full half against Japan. Despite some supporters urging for a more prominent role for the teenager, Endrick has expressed total confidence in coach Carlo Ancelotti’s judgement, both at international level and during their time together at Real Madrid.
🥹🇧🇷 Endrick es un chico tan humilde que hay que quererle. Le han preguntado por sus pocos minutos en el Mundial y ha demostrado tener los pies en el suelo:
"Ancelotti no va a hacer lo mejor para mí, va a hacer lo mejor para el equipo. Carlo no tiene miedo, él piensa y las cosas… pic.twitter.com/WfhQvnFUHo
— Madrid Sports (@MadridSports_) July 2, 2026
According to Endrick, “He won’t do what’s best for me, he’ll do what’s best for the team… 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.”
Staying Calm Amidst Uncertainty
In response to questions regarding his mental approach, Endrick maintained that he remains calm despite the lack of guaranteed playing time. He emphasised his commitment to preparation, faith, and self-belief, stating, “I reckon I’ll sleep like a baby… 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.”
The forward underlined the significance of his presence in the 26-man World Cup squad at just 19 years old, describing the experience as a victory and reiterating his readiness to perform if selected.
Learning Under Ancelotti and Looking to Contribute
Reflecting on his introduction to European football, Endrick credited Ancelotti as a major influence at Real Madrid, noting the Italian’s balanced approach and emphasis on patience. “He was my first manager when I arrived in Europe. For me, having him as my first manager was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my career… In my first season with (Ancelotti) at Real, I played a lot. It was a few minutes here and there, but I was coming on in practically every game. He’d tell me to stay calm, that my time would come.”
Endrick also highlighted Gabriel Martinelli’s recent impact off the bench as proof of Ancelotti’s effective squad rotation, adding, “The manager is one of the best coaches in the world; he knows exactly what to do. I feel very at ease with him and always follow his advice.”
