Brazil boss predicts big things for Endrick after England win

MADRID: Brazil expect prodigy Endrick to play a big role for club and country after the teenager made headlines by coming on to score his first goal for the Selecao and secure a 1-0 win over England at Wembley on Saturday, manager Dorival Junior said on Monday.

The teenager, who will join Real Madrid from Palmeiras when he turns 18 in July, became the youngest male player to score at the iconic stadium as he gave Dorival a win in his first match in charge of the five-times world champions.

“Endrick will bring a lot of joy to Real Madrid fans, I have no doubt about that. He has a bright future ahead of him and he’s maturing amazingly well,” Dorival told a press conference ahead of Brazil’s friendly against Spain on Tuesday.

Seventeen year-old prodigy Endrick scored his first goal for Brazil to give the struggling South Americans a 1-0 win over England at Wembley in coach Dorival Junior’s first match in charge. Substitute Endrick, who is due to join Real Madrid from Palmeiras, struck in the 80th minute when he tapped into an empty net after England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford could only parry a shot from Vinicius Jr.

The goal meant he became the youngest male player - at 17 years and 246 days - to score an international goal at Wembley. “It’s a unique feeling. I’m still processing it,” Endrick told Brazil’s Globo television. “I’m not much of a crier, I’m holding back, but it’s something unique and I’m very happy.”

“He has a special ability to finish up front, to look for moves that few others would even try. He is aggressive, fierce, he attacks spaces like no-one else and has a unique ability in front of the goal.”

Despite urging caution regarding Endrick and disclosing that the youngster will not start on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Dorival said the fans at the match in the capital will have their chance to see him on the field against Spain.

“We have to be very careful, step by step, so that he progresses naturally, without putting too much expectation on someone who is just starting out in his career,” Dorival said. “He needs to have balance and that’s the key and main point for the marvellous sequence that’s going to happen, as long as he doesn’t lose the initial timing and completes the fundamental training process from now on.

“Let the next step be extremely important and take care with a player as special as him. He has a bright future ahead of him.” Dorival also talked about the racist abuse his star player Vinicius Jr has endured in Spain over the last two seasons, saying his struggles have had a big impact in Brazil’s changing room.

The Real Madrid winger broke down in tears at a press conference earlier on Monday, saying he was struggling to stay motivated and enjoy playing football due to the recurring racist abuse he is subjected to.

“It’s cowardly what’s happening,” Dorival said. “This is a fact that happens every day in our country too, and we need a collective effort from everyone. We need the Public Prosecutor’s Office to act more directly to curb these aggressions.