"Are they performing or not?" - Brazil coach Dorival Junior explains decision to drop Real Madrid star for upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Head coach of Brazil's national team Dorival Junior has explained why Real Madrid star Endrick was dropped for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. He suggested that he extended invites to players who have been performing and are in good form.
Endrick was one of the notable names omitted from Dorival's list for Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay. The 18-year-old forward has struggled for game time since moving to Real Madrid from Palmeias this summer.
He was part of Brazil's squad for October's international break and came off the bench in Selecao's wins over Chile and Peru. However, Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti hasn't deployed the former Palmerias star in the last four games since then.
The teenage sensation has managed just 107 minutes in nine games across competitions for Los Blancos this term. He has contributed two goals and an assist in that period, having started just once.
After the list was released, Dorival explained his decision to exclude top players like Endrick and Neymar. He said (as quoted by Fabrizio Romano on X):
“We have no time for training or to make players return in good form. Are they performing or not? That’s the question to answer.”
Endrick's lack of game time at the Santiago Bernabeu has raised talks about a possible loan deal for the Brazilian youngster. With Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Rodryo ahead of him in the pecking order, it's hard to see Éndrick getting regular minutes this season.
Meanwhile, fellow Real Madrid-Brazilian teammates Eder Militao, Vinicius, and Rodrygo have all been handed call-ups for the November international break. Brazil are fourth in the World Cup qualifying standings, six points behind leaders Argentina.
They will play Venezuela on November 14 before hosting Uruguay five days later.
Real Madrid LaLiga clash with Valencia postponed
Real Madrid's LaLiga Match Day 12 clash with Valencia has been postponed till further notice. The match was initially scheduled to be played on Saturday, November 2 but was canceled after a severe flood hit the region of Valencia.
Los Blancos were supposed to travel to play Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium. However, due to the devasting effects of the flood, the Spanish Football Federation was forced to postpone the game.
As a result, Real Madrid's next game will be in the UEFA Champions League against AC Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, November 5. Los Blancos lost 4-0 to Barcelona in their last league outing and trail their rivals who are atop the standings by six points.