Brazilian supporters have taken to social media to express their frustration with manager Carlo Ancelotti’s limited use of young forward Endrick during the ongoing international break. The criticism follows Brazil’s opening World Cup qualifying draw against Morocco, where the attack struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Despite a goal from Vinicius Junior, the performances of Igor Thiago and Luiz Enrique up front failed to satisfy many Brazilian fans. This dissatisfaction has manifested in a wave of memes and online jokes directed at Ancelotti, urging him to give Endrick more playing time. The online campaign gained momentum after Ancelotti initially left the Real Madrid prospect on the bench.
Brazilian sports journalists have also joined the chorus of criticism, with one jokingly reporting that Ancelotti had informed Endrick he would start against Haiti, leading to a hypothetical attacking trio of Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Ancelotti himself. According to O Globo, Ancelotti did experiment with Endrick in a central attacking role during Wednesday’s training session, rotating him with Igor Thiago and Matheus Cunha.
The online memes range from comparing Ancelotti to a circus performer balancing a glass on his nose – with the implication that Endrick should be played if the glass falls – to more direct demands for the young player to be given a chance. Some fans have even suggested outlandish scenarios, such as eating an entire brick or failing an exam, as justification for Ancelotti to field Endrick.
Endrick joined Real Madrid in July 2024, but will join the squad in 2025. He has yet to fully establish himself in the Brazil national team, making only a handful of appearances. Ancelotti, who also manages Real Madrid, has a reputation for carefully managing young talent, and his decisions regarding Endrick’s playing time are under intense scrutiny from the Brazilian public. The pressure on Ancelotti is likely to increase as Brazil continues its World Cup qualifying campaign.
