Koenraad Hendrickx News

Erling Haaland mocks Brazil with laughing post after ending Selecao's World Cup dream

Erling Haaland needed just one social media post to capture the mood after producing one of the biggest performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Norway striker scored twice in a dramatic 2-1 Round of 16 victory over Brazil before sharing a light-hearted reaction online that quickly grabbed fans' attention. His latest heroics not only ended Brazil's title hopes but also sent Norway into uncharted territory with a place in the quarterfinals.Erling Haaland reacts after firing Norway past BrazilHaaland once again proved why he is one of world football's most feared forwards. Norway had to remain patient against a Brazil side that missed several chances, including a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimaraes that goalkeeper Orjan Nyland comfortably saved. Brazil also came close through substitute Endrick, who failed to convert a clear opportunity after a clever pass from Vinicius Junior.The breakthrough finally arrived in the 79th minute. Haaland rose above Brazil's defence to meet a cross before calmly beating Alisson with a composed finish. Just 11 minutes later, he struck again, driving a precise effort into the corner to put Norway in complete control.Brazil managed to pull one goal back, but the late response was not enough to stop Norway from securing a famous victory over the five-time world champions.Shortly after the final whistle, Haaland celebrated the result with a brief Instagram post that read:"Well well well😂."The simple message quickly spread across social media as fans celebrated Norway's biggest World Cup achievement in decades. The victory also booked Norway's first-ever appearance in a FIFA World Cup quarterfinal, where they will face the winner of the Mexico versus England Round of 16 clash in Miami on July 10.Erling Haaland continues record-breaking FIFA World Cup campaignHaaland's tournament statistics continue to place him among the greatest World Cup starts ever seen. The Manchester City striker has now scored in each of his four appearances at the tournament and sits alongside Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe on seven goals in the race for the Golden Boot.His latest brace also added several remarkable milestones to an already memorable campaign. According to Opta, Haaland's seven goals in his first four World Cup matches are the most by any player since Gerd Muller scored eight during the 1970 tournament.He has also become only the fourth player to score four match-winning goals in a single World Cup. The exclusive list includes Gerd Muller, Salvatore Schillaci and Grzegorz Lato, placing the Norwegian among some of football's most iconic tournament performers.Haaland's journey has been impressive from the opening stages. He scored braces against Iraq and Senegal in the group stage before missing Norway's defeat to France. He returned for the knockout round against Ivory Coast and scored the winning goal before delivering another match-winning display against Brazil.Norway will now carry growing belief into the quarterfinals.With Haaland producing goals in crucial moments and the team showing resilience against elite opposition, the Scandinavian side has transformed from tournament outsiders into genuine contenders. Their dream run continues, and Haaland remains firmly at the heart of it.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.

2026-07-06

Man Utd star proves Carlo Ancelotti right as Brazil rocked by World Cup injury blow

For a manager of Carlo Ancelotti's pedigree and experience, it's a surprise he was not cut some slack. Tomorrow is never promised at World Cups, particularly when you're managing international royalty and five-time winners Brazil but Ancelotti's recent team selections - both pre-tournament and versus Morocco in New Jersey - have been highly scrutinised in South America. After Brentford frontman Igor Thiago faltered against the Atlas Lions at the MetLife Stadium, Real Madrid sensation Endrick has been a hot topic of conversation following his productive loan spell with French side Lyon. But Ancelotti, whose resume speaks for itself, went against the grain and selected Matheus Cunha as a makeshift centre-forward. Cunha is not an out-and-out striker but it's a role he previously mastered with Wolves to earn a £62.5million transfer to Manchester United and as a Bobby Firmino-esque 'connector' his inclusion paid dividends for Ancelotti. Not only did he score twice to as Brazil finally arrived at this World Cup but he also helped bring the best from Ancelotti's red arrows; Vinicius Jr and Raphinha. They would be largely expected to tear apart Haita - world ranking of 83 - but they started like a house on fire. Raphinha had a goal chalked off before Vinicius cooly converted the Selecao's third deep into first-half stoppage time. Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now! Unfortunately for the Barcelona winger, he was forced off after just 40 minutes due to injury which is a major concern because he's integral not only as a leader but also as a marksman and masterful creator. However good Bournemouth gem Rayan is, he is still only 19 and it would be unfair to pin the hopes of a demanding nation on such young shoulders. For now, Brazil will await further clarity from team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, who appeared concerned after conducting initial tests on Raphinha's hamstring. The former Leeds forward has recently been struggling with blisters but muscle tightness, just two games into what is potentially an eight-game tournament, is deeply concerning. Joao Pedro's omission from this Brazil squad remains hard to wrap your heard around on the back of a 20-goal debut season with Chelsea but Cunha is savvy and well-rounded enough to lead the line. He did not know much about his opener, which fortuitously deflected off him but his second was an emphatic finish struck with real conviction. Cunha was replaced by Endrick on 64 minutes and the roar when the latter was summoned by Ancelotti was deafening, even from behind the press-box glass. Where popularity is concerned, he is also supremely talented, the 19-year-old is seemingly the heir to Neymar throne. He had a tidy goal chalked off to, which in addition to Cunha's brace, will slightly ease the public pressure on Ancelotti to start him at the tip of Brazil's attack. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-06-20

Brazil’s World Cup squad offers a hint of the magical pragmatism of 1994

In their attacking heyday, Brazil never struggled to find a winning complement in defence. Individual attacking brilliance only comes off if others nearby are doing the hard yards; for every Ronaldinho, there is a Roque Júnior. The current generation doesn’t lack entertainers. Of Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for the World Cup, which was announced on Monday, nine players are listed as attackers, a high number for most squads, with nine defenders left to sweat their responsibilities whenever possession changes hands. A byproduct of growing the size of men’s World Cup squads from 23 to 26 is that it’s easier to include specialists who may otherwise have lost out to more versatile alternatives. That’s the path Neymar has taken to his fourth World Cup squad, similar to Colombia’s James Rodríguez: a generational figure who can inspire his side even in short bursts. Just as surprising is the inclusion of Endrick, who struggled to become part of Ancelotti’s plans at Real Madrid. His form on loan at Lyon this season was unmissable, though, and the 19-year-old who was once hyped as Brazil’s best prospect since Neymar will try to rectify a poor start to his international career. “It may not be the perfect group, but it is a focused, concentrated, humble, selfless group,” Ancelotti said after naming his squad. “My idea is focused on the collective, not the individual.” A year removed from his second spell at the Bernabeu, Ancelotti has had just 10 games to assess his pool of players as he prepares for his first World Cup as a manager. The tournament isn’t altogether new to him: he was a member of Italy’s squad in 1990 and an assistant on Arrigo Sacchi’s staff when they reached the final in 1994. The winner of that game, of course, was Brazil. While Romario, another in the nation’s litany of generational forwards, shone in that tournament, the real magic came from Carlos Alberto Parreira’s embrace of pragmatism. He recognized there was a scarcity of showmen to carry the attack, so he built a structure that proved difficult for opponents to overwhelm. A proper 4-4-2, with Dunga and Mauro Silva forming a stout double-pivot as creativity came down the flanks. History has held the 1994 version up as a reminder that Brazil can win without having a player like Pele, Ronaldo, or Ronaldinho as a figurehead – perhaps at the expense of Romario’s legacy. It’s easy to imagine Ancelotti unfurling a trademark raise of his eyebrow when surveying his pool over the past year. This group of Brazilian players is lacking in crucial areas, especially at full-back. They’ll probably have plenty of work to do, as they will almost certainly have to cover for the healthy contingent of attackers in the final third, and finding a stout base could help relive the utilitarian magic from 1994. Alisson is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but he may need to claim plenty of crosses if his full-backs are drawn out of position. Thankfully, center-back no longer looks like a liability for Brazil. Marquinhos and Gabriel are leading defenders for Arsenal and PSG, this season’s Champions League finalists. Bremer has rebounded, along with the rest of Juventus, while Roger Ibañez has stuck around the national team since leaving Roma for Al-Ahli in 2023. Ancelotti also picked the Flamengo partnership of Danilo and Léo Pereira, the latter a 30-year-old with just two caps to his name. Then again, they went all 90 minutes in Flamengo’s famous 3-1 win over Chelsea at last summer’s Club World Cup; they are a well-rehearsed tandem who could come in handy as rotation is needed. It’s tempting to think that the midfield is thin, with just five options in the squad. Casemiro, who played under Ancelotti at Real Madrid, has had a remarkable rebound from a poor 2024-25, while Bruno Guimaraes arrives after another excellent campaign with an otherwise floundering Newcastle. Danilo Santos is a vital figure for Botafogo, and the other midfielders in the squad, Fabinho and Lucas Paquetá, bring ample experience. And yes, there are plenty of entertainers. Vinícius Jr will hope to put forth a signature tournament showing for Brazil at long last. There’s competition for center-forward, especially given João Pedro’s shock omission in spite of his Chelsea form, with Igor Thiago the man in form, and Endrick and Matheus Cunha the alternatives. The wingers will make opposing full-backs sweat: Bournemouth’s Rayan is among the world’s most tantalizing teenagers and Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, and Luiz Henrique offer their own on-ball brilliance. Brazil struggled as they seldom have before in their qualifying campaign. They finished fifth among South America’s six automatic qualifiers, losing a surprising six matches. They had lost five matches combined in their qualifiers for the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups. Then again, the last time they lost six times in a qualifying campaign was for the 2002 World Cup, and they went on to win the tournament. There’s an eerie symmetry between that cycle and this one. In both qualifying campaigns, Argentina and Ecuador finished first and second, while Brazil narrowly edged ahead of Paraguay on goal difference. Then again, Ancelotti seems aware that 1994 may be a more fitting parallel for his task this summer. “I have the knowledge and the confidence that this team can compete with the best in the world,” Ancelotti said. “Can we win the World Cup and reach the final? Yes, we can make it to the final. But I don’t know if that is enough – the best thing is to get there and win the final.” Brazil squad for 2026 World Cup Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio). Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Danilo (Flamengo), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Roger Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris St-Germain), Gabriel (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg). Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo). Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).

2026-05-19

Real Madrid’s Valverde has stitches after bust-up with teammate Tchouaméni

Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde was taken to hospital to have stitches after a second confrontation with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni in two days, as the club’s collapse into chaos continues. Players held an emergency meeting and Real have opened disciplinary proceedings after a physical fight, with blood being spilled and Valverde being taken for treatment. It is the latest episode in a catalogue of problems at the club; they will almost certainly end a second successive season without a trophy, Álvaro Arbeloa will not continue as coach, and the dressing room divide widens by the day. Real travel to Barcelona for the clásico on Sunday. Valverde and Tchouaméni almost came to blows during an argument in training on Wednesday which continued into the dressing room, with teammates intervening to separate the pair as they pushed each other. Then, 24 hours later, the sports newspaper Marca revealed that on Thursday Tchouaméni and Valverde fought, resulting in Valverde falling and hitting his head, opening up a gash. Valverde was taken to the medical department at Valdebebas and from there to the nearby Hospital Blua Sanitas Valdebebas, where he was given stitches. Cameras caught the 27-year-old’s car going back and forth from the training ground, although the Uruguay midfielder was not visible inside. The incident began when Valverde refused to shake Tchouaméni’s hand as he arrived at training, accusing him of having leaked the story of the previous day’s fight. The France midfielder denied doing so and insisted that the accusations had to stop, but Valverde persisted. With Valverde not letting up, even as other players tried to calm the situation down, he tussled with Tchouaméni. Valverde fell and connected with the corner of a table. As he was taken for treatment, an emergency meeting was held in the dressing room. Valverde was back at home on Thursday afternoon. The club captain, Dani Carvajal, was seen returning to Valdebebas for further discussions with members of the club. Real released a statement on Thursday evening that read: “Real Madrid confirm that, following the incident that occurred this morning in the first-team training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players, Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni. The club will communicate the conclusions at the appropriate time, once the relevant internal proceedings are complete.” The club’s medical department then issued a statement, which added: “After the tests carried out by the Real Madrid medical services on our player Federico Valverde, they have diagnosed head trauma. Valverde is at home in good condition, where he should rest for between 10 and 14 days, per the medical protocol for this diagnosis.” In a statement on Instagram late on Thursday, Valverde wrote: “At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either, although I understand it’s easier for you to believe we came to blows or that it was intentional, but that didn’t happen. I feel that my anger about the situation, my frustration at seeing some of us struggling to get through the end of the season on our last legs, giving it our all, pushed me to the point of arguing with a team-mate.” The long statement added: “I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry because this situation hurts me, this moment we’re going through is painful. Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life and I can’t be indifferent to it. The result is a build-up of things that culminate in a senseless fight, damaging my image and leaving room for doubt - for people to fabricate stories, slander me, and sensationalise an incident.” The flashpoint comes a few days after the left-back Álvaro Carreras confirmed that he had been hit by Antonio Rüdiger in an incident he said had been “resolved”. Kylian Mbappé confronted a member of Arbeloa’s backroom staff during another recent session and had to defend himself against criticism that he travelled to Italy with his girlfriend while he was recovering from injury. Midfielder Dani Ceballos has been left out of the squad after a confrontation with Arbeloa, and the beginning of the end for the former head coach Xabi Alonso came when Vinícius Júnior stormed off during the clásico in October. Back then Real were five points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Going into this Sunday’s game they are 11 points behind their bitter rivals with four matches remaining. If they do not win, Barcelona will be crowned champions.

2026-05-07

Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta eyes record signing as swoop for Real Madrid 'diamond' gets backing

Arsenal have been linked with two talented young strikers following a crucial run of games. Having taken on Atletico Madrid in midweek and Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, the Gunners will turn their attention back to the Spanish giants ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second-leg. Mikel Arteta ’s side are five wins away from potentially securing a historic league and European cup double. Yet, the manager and sporting director Andrea Berta are already working behind the scenes to bolster the team with an eye on this summer's transfer dealings. Several players are expected to leave the north Londoners once the window opens, with Arsenal needing to sell in order to finance both last summer and this summer’s outlay. Now, Mirror Football takes a look at two of the latest transfer stories involving the club. FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page Arsenal have been urged by club legend Emmanuel Petit to sign 'diamond' Real Madrid ace Endrick this summer. The Brazilian has found regular game time difficult to come by since joining Los Blancos and is currently on loan at Lyon, where he has scored seven goals this campaign. Despite his relative success in France, the 19-year-old is unlikely to break into the Real Madrid starting line-up next season when he returns to Spain, given Kylian Mbappe currently occupies that position. That has convinced Petit that his former side should try to snap up the talented striker due to the lack of match-winning forward options currently available to Arteta. Petit said: "He's so young, only 19 years old. He's very talented, very gifted, but he's like a crazy horse with a lot of energy. On the pitch, sometimes he's a little bit too selfish. But at the same time, he knows he has huge qualities. "He needs to be in the right environment to improve and develop because this guy is a diamond. What kind of club would be very good for him? Given his qualities, I would love for him to come to Arsenal, to be honest with you." Arsenal are interested in signing Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth in a potentially record breaking deal. The France Under-21s star has caught the attention of several top clubs with his brilliant performances this season. football.london reports that Kroupi, 19, is being eyed by Arteta as a potential summer signing. The Gunners are expected to make one or two forward additions at the end of the season, with several of their current forwards expected to leave this summer. Kroupi is said to fit Berta’s criteria, given he is young and is Premier League-proven. He has scored 11 goals in 29 appearances this term, but is yet to register an assist, showing he also has room for improvement. However, Bournemouth are expected to demand a significant fee and are under no pressure to sell, with Kroupi’s contract running until 2030. Any move could make him one of, if not the most expensive centre-forwards the club has ever signed if they decide to proceed with a move. His transfer could exceed the £56million paid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018 and possibly the £65m paid for Kai Havertz in 2023.

2026-05-03

Rejuvenated Casemiro heads for Manchester United exit on a high

It was two years ago that Jamie Carragher offered Casemiro a rather withering piece of advice: “Leave the football before the football leaves you.” Fast forward to this season and the Brazilian’s record for Manchester United reads: nine goals (second only to Benjamin Sesko), two assists, and 2,417 minutes played in 31 starts from a total of 32 appearances, with 13 games finished, including seven of the past nine. Consider, too, how the January announcement of Casemiro’s departure from United at the end of the current campaign has led to supporters pleading with the 34-year-old to stay, and that Casemiro is again a midfield first-choice for his national team in the buildup to a World Cup. As ripostes to a pundit advising you to retire go, Casemiro’s has been emphatic, not to mention revealing of a strong character given Carragher’s words, delivered on Monday Night Football following United’s 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in May 2024, came at a time when Casemiro did indeed appear to be heading for an Old Trafford exit amid a downturn in his performances. As Carragher also said: “Casemiro should know tonight that he should only have another three games left at the top level.” United, then under the charge of Erik ten Hag, were open to selling a player who was two seasons into a four-year contract, earning close to £365,000-a-week. Indeed the previous October, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s co-owner, had even gone as far as citing Casemiro as an example of what he viewed as questionable recruitment by the club. A nadir was then reached in January 2025 when across five league matches – against Liverpool, Arsenal, Southampton, Brighton and Fulham – Casemiro remained an unused substitute, with Toby Collyer preferred by Ruben Amorim, Ten Hag’s successor, to enter the fray and try to aid the team. There then came a reprieve for Casemiro in the shape of Amorim prioritising United’s Europa League challenge. Casemiro was handed league starts at Tottenham in February, and again away to Everton. He impressed and so was named in the starting XI for both legs of the Europa League last-16 win over Real Sociedad, and then again for both legs of the quarter-final victory against Lyon, the semi-final defeat of Athletic Bilbao and the final loss to Tottenham. “I’m learning how to use players like Casemiro,” Amorim said during this time. “In the beginning he was behind every midfielder, even Toby [Collyer], but he fought and he worked, and now he is back in the national team.” Amorim admitted he got it wrong about a five-times Champions League-winner and, eventually, so did Carragher, with the former Liverpool defender performing a U-turn in February. “It is now fair to say the football has not left him, considering what he’s producing this season in the Premier League,” he said. What explanation, then, for the upturn of performances by a player in his mid-30s, a period in life when physicality is meant to catch up with a professional footballer, particularly a No 6 having to operate in the relentless environment of England’s top flight? One factor would appear to be improved fitness. Under Michael Carrick, he is also part of a far better United side, more on the front foot and in control of proceedings, and, as such, requiring less hard running of ageing legs. The fact Carrick played in Casemiro’s exact role for United at 12 years and until he was into his late 30s means the player also has a far more sympathetic, understanding and appreciative manager. As Carrick said: “With a lot of experience you are trusting them to know themselves and [you] speak to them on a level where there’s an understanding there. With Case that’s been the case; knowing what he’s good at and his strengths and what he can bring to the team. “It takes a lot of sacrifice and a lot of work to play for a long time. I was personally proud of sustaining it for a long period – to do what he’s done over a long period of time takes a lot of work and deserves a lot of credit.” After United’s 2-1 win against Brentford on Monday, Carrick confirmed Casemiro will not change his mind about leaving. In his 35th year this is, surely, prudent. Indeed, all concerned only have to look at Mohamed Salah’s drop-off for Liverpool, the team United face on Sunday, as proof of that. It is a cautionary tale. By departing in the close season, Casemiro is ensuring he is leaving football before it leaves him. At elite level, anyway, with the player expected to continue elsewhere, possibly in Major League Soccer or in Saudi Arabia.

2026-05-02

Rejuvenated Casemiro heads for Manchester United exit on a high

It was two years ago that Jamie Carragher offered Casemiro a rather withering piece of advice: “Leave the football before the football leaves you.” Fast forward to this season and the Brazilian’s record for Manchester United reads: nine goals (second only to Benjamin Sesko), two assists, and 2,417 minutes played in 31 starts from a total of 32 appearances, with 13 games finished, including seven of the past nine. Consider, too, how the January announcement of Casemiro’s departure from United at the end of the current campaign has led to supporters pleading with the 34-year-old to stay, and that Casemiro is again a midfield first-choice for his national team in the buildup to a World Cup. As ripostes to a pundit advising you to retire go, Casemiro’s has been emphatic, not to mention revealing of a strong character given Carragher’s words, delivered on Monday Night Football following United’s 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in May 2024, came at a time when Casemiro did indeed appear to be heading for an Old Trafford exit amid a downturn in his performances. As Carragher also said: “Casemiro should know tonight that he should only have another three games left at the top level.” United, then under the charge of Erik ten Hag, were open to selling a player who was two seasons into a four-year contract, earning close to £365,000-a-week. Indeed the previous October, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s co-owner, had even gone as far as citing Casemiro as an example of what he viewed as questionable recruitment by the club. A nadir was then reached in January 2025 when across five league matches – against Liverpool, Arsenal, Southampton, Brighton and Fulham – Casemiro remained an unused substitute, with Toby Collyer preferred by Ruben Amorim, Ten Hag’s successor, to enter the fray and try to aid the team. There then came a reprieve for Casemiro in the shape of Amorim prioritising United’s Europa League challenge. Casemiro was handed league starts at Tottenham in February, and again away to Everton. He impressed and so was named in the starting XI for both legs of the Europa League last-16 win over Real Sociedad, and then again for both legs of the quarter-final victory against Lyon, the semi-final defeat of Athletic Bilbao and the final loss to Tottenham. “I’m learning how to use players like Casemiro,” Amorim said during this time. “In the beginning he was behind every midfielder, even Toby [Collyer], but he fought and he worked, and now he is back in the national team.” Amorim admitted he got it wrong about a five-times Champions League-winner and, eventually, so did Carragher, with the former Liverpool defender performing a U-turn in February. “It is now fair to say the football has not left him, considering what he’s producing this season in the Premier League,” he said. What explanation, then, for the upturn of performances by a player in his mid-30s, a period in life when physicality is meant to catch up with a professional footballer, particularly a No 6 having to operate in the relentless environment of England’s top flight? One factor would appear to be improved fitness. Under Michael Carrick, he is also part of a far better United side, more on the front foot and in control of proceedings, and, as such, requiring less hard running of ageing legs. The fact Carrick played in Casemiro’s exact role for United at 12 years and until he was into his late 30s means the player also has a far more sympathetic, understanding and appreciative manager. As Carrick said: “With a lot of experience you are trusting them to know themselves and [you] speak to them on a level where there’s an understanding there. With Case that’s been the case; knowing what he’s good at and his strengths and what he can bring to the team. “It takes a lot of sacrifice and a lot of work to play for a long time. I was personally proud of sustaining it for a long period – to do what he’s done over a long period of time takes a lot of work and deserves a lot of credit.” After United’s 2-1 win against Brentford on Monday, Carrick confirmed Casemiro will not change his mind about leaving. In his 35th year this is, surely, prudent. Indeed, all concerned only have to look at Mohamed Salah’s drop-off for Liverpool, the team United face on Sunday, as proof of that. It is a cautionary tale. By departing in the close season, Casemiro is ensuring he is leaving football before it leaves him. At elite level, anyway, with the player expected to continue elsewhere, possibly in Major League Soccer or in Saudi Arabia.

2026-05-02

‘Football isn’t a nice place’: Endrick on Brazil hopes, his baby and Bellingham’s help

With less than a month to go before Carlo Ancelotti announces the Brazil squad for the World Cup, Endrick has been reborn in his nation’s canary yellow shirt. But the 19-year-old prodigy has struggled this season and had to overcome “a night of doubts” before Brazil faced Croatia in late March. With opportunities limited at Real Madrid after the arrival of Xabi Alonso, Endrick was loaned to Lyon, where his comeback began. He has played 18 matches in France, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists. His form caught Ancelotti’s eye but, before that match in Orlando, the Brazil head coach said Endrick was a player for the future, not for the present. Those comments were seen in some quarters as signalling the end of the striker’s hopes of playing at this summer’s World Cup. “It was a night of doubts and a sense of urgency – I knew it could be my last chance,” says Endrick. “I prayed a lot. I knew that day could be a turning point for me. I played well, one of my best performances. I managed to shake off those negative thoughts, that sense of urgency, that pressure to play well, that it might be my last chance. That helped me take the weight off my shoulders because I knew I had to play well to make it to the World Cup. But I managed to shake off that thought, I didn’t let it affect me and played a great game.” Endrick was on the pitch for just 15 minutes. Brazil were leading 1–0, but not playing well and conceded the equaliser as soon as he came on. But Endrick brought a new direction and earned a penalty, which Igor Thiago converted. He then provided an assist for Gabriel Martinelli to seal a 3–1 victory. Endrick is part of a generation of Brazil players who must carry the weight of not winning a World Cup for 24 years. Being a Brazil international comes with its own unique pressures but Endrick asserts this is a thing of the past. “I no longer pay attention to what others say. When you take all that out of your life, things get easier. “When I stepped back, I focused only on playing football and doing my best for my team. Once you ignore what happens off the pitch, you start performing better on it. That’s the key for footballers. Work hard for the team and don’t worry about the criticism. “When I started out, I handled social media and criticism very badly. I’d come off the pitch and would head straight to Twitter [now X], to social media, to see what people were saying about me. I wanted to have my ego inflated. But that’s not a good thing. Thank God that period is over. When the match is over, I stay calm and focus on my recovery. I don’t care about that criticism any more.” Besides the World Cup, Endrick is also looking forward to becoming a father. His wife, Gabriely, is expecting their child for the end of the year. The couple doesn’t know the baby’s sex yet, but the player doesn’t want a son to follow in his footsteps in football “so he can have a peaceful life”. “I hope he or she becomes a great person, a great human being. And that he sees me off the pitch as a normal person, not as Endrick the footballer. Football isn’t a nice place. It’s a very tough environment. I hope he or she becomes a lawyer, a doctor or anything else, and can be happy in his own world.” Endrick has managed to mature amid so many changes in his life. Even the period without games at Real Madrid, when he played only three times in six months, he sees as important in this process, as a thigh injury kept him off the field for a quarter of a year. “I had a complicated injury and lost a lot of time,” he says. “It kept me away from many matches, training and work. I couldn’t compete. When you get injured, you lose everything. You lose the chance to fight for a place. These are things beyond my control. “I was really afraid. I cried several times. That’s something you do in private. I didn’t know how to deal with my injury, what to expect. You don’t know if you’ll have a relapse, if you’ll keep your strength, if you’ll come back weaker. That affects you a lot. You get scared of the future. But I knew I had to keep going. If I’d had another injury, I’d have gone through the whole process again. I knew that when I came back, I’d have to give it my best.” Endrick has relied on the help from his Real teammates, especially Jude Bellingham, the England midfielder who has surprised him in his daily life in Madrid. “Bellingham was really important to me. He made me feel welcome at the club. I didn’t speak English very well, but he spoke to me, tried to speak a bit of Spanish, was by my side and gave me advice. “His friendship was important to me in my beginning at Real Madrid. That really had an impact on me. I had a certain impression of him before I arrived, but he was completely different. He’s an incredible player and an incredible person too, especially when it comes to friendship. That’s what impressed me the most about him.” Luka Modric, too, dazzled the young Brazilian when he arrived in the Spanish capital. Endrick says the Croat “was the player who most impressed me at Real Madrid: 100%. He’s a guy who taught me a lot in my first year. Not just in training, but also in matches. It was a football masterclass. He was 40 years old and very strong. He trained every day. When he wasn’t playing, he’d go to the club and train, doing his own extra training. The way he plays is incredible. He always gave me tips, telling me what I should do on the pitch. That helped me a lot. He was one of the most incredible guys I’ve ever met in football.” Brazil’s World Cup opening fixture is against Morocco on 13 June. Endrick’s place in Ancelotti’s squad is not secured yet and he has three more games for Lyon to keep his World Cup dream alive. “My first desire is to play the World Cup. I need to be there. That’s my first thought. Before thinking about the title, I need to do my job well at Lyon. I’m focused here. I need to play well in these remaining games to secure my place. My dream is to play the World Cup and help my country. I’ll do my best to help Brazil.”

2026-04-30