Endrick in Brazil Copa América list, Casemiro out
Brazil coach Dorival Júnior has included Endrick in his 23-man squad for the Copa América while Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus, Tottenham‘s Richarlison and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro are among the high-profile absentees.
Dorival also confirmed that Richarlison had missed out on the squad after suffering a calf injury with his club.
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Palmeiras teenage forward Endrick, who will join Real Madrid after this summer’s tournament in the United States, shone in Brazil’s last two games in March.
Endrick, 17, scored his first goal for Brazil in a 1-0 win against England at Wembley before netting in a 3-3 friendly draw with Spain in Dorival’s first games in charge.
Brazil are without their all-time scorer Neymar, who is ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.
In-form Real Madrid pair Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, having greatly contributed to Madrid winning LaLiga and reaching the Champions League final, are expected to lead the attack.
Vinícius is a contender for the Ballon d’Or this year but Dorival stressed: “We don’t need one star, I think the division of responsibility will help the team grow. It’s good to have players of that level.”
FC Porto forward Evanilson has received his first call-up while Sávio has been rewarded following an impressive season at Girona while on loan from Troyes.
Casemiro, meanwhile, has lost his place in the squad after a disappointing season at Manchester United.
“He deserves all of our respect,” Dorival said of the veteran midfielder. “I had a chat with him in Manchester three months ago. He knows what I think of him.”
Dorival confirmed Richarlson’s injury.
“Richarlison has a calf injury. It has not yet been made official by the club, but we contacted with the player and he informed us.”
Aston Villa‘s Douglas Luiz is one of nine Premier League-based players included in Dorival’s squad.
Brazil last won the Copa in 2019 and head into the tournament following a hugely disappointing South American World Cup qualifying campaign so far.
Brazil are sixth in the standings after winning only two of their six qualifiers and suffering three defeats, results that led to Dorival’s appointment in January.
Brazil will play two warm-up games against Mexico on June 8 in Texas and against the United States four days later in Orlando before they start the tournament against Costa Rica on June 24. Dorival’s side also faces Paraguay on June 28 and Colombia on July 2 in Group D.
Complete Brazil squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Éderson (Manchester City) Bento (Athletico-PR);
Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Yan Couto (Girona), Guilherme Arana (Atlético-MG), Wendell (FC Porto), Beraldo (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Militão (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), João Gomes (Wolverhampton), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham)
Forwards: Endrick (Palmeiras), Martinelli (Arsenal), Evanilson (Porto), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Girona), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid).
