Brazil head coach Dorival Jr has called up teenage forward Endrick to replace Neymar for this month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, after the Santos attacker was ruled out due to injury.
The 33 year-old had been due to make a return to the national team set-up for the first time in 17 months, since sustaining a knee injury against Uruguay in October 2023.
However, the former Barcelona, PSG and Al Hilal attacker has now suffered a setback, thus ruling him out of the Selecao’s qualifying fixtures against Colombia and Argentina.
Neymar, who moved back to boyhood club Santos during the January transfer window, has scored three goals and provided three assists in seven appearances in the Brazilian top flight.
Neymar’s replacement Endrick has made 28 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions this season, scoring six goals. He has also made 13 senior appearances for Brazil, scoring three goals.