According to José Trajano on *Cartão Vermelho* from Canal UOL, there is room for both Endrick and Neymar in the Brazilian national team for the World Cup. Trajano noted that while Carlo Ancelotti’s preliminary 55-man list does not guarantee anyone a final spot, he believes the two forwards can play together.
“Both can fit. That’s possible because Endrick also plays on the right and can move there. But this list of 55 means absolutely nothing in terms of those final doubts. You say, ‘Oh, Neymar is on the 55-man list.’ Is he guaranteed for the World Cup? No. Is Endrick? No, he isn’t guaranteed either,” Trajano said.
Rodrigo Mattos disagreed, arguing that Endrick currently offers more and can play multiple attacking roles. “Between Neymar and Endrick, I have no doubt I’d take Endrick. Not only because he plays in various positions, but because he’s competitive and performing at a high level right now. Neymar hasn’t shown that to us yet,” Mattos said.
Juca Kfouri also stated that Neymar is not at the same level as the group, but predicted the coach might take both to avoid pressure during the tournament. “If I had to bet, he’ll take both Endrick and Neymar. He’ll bring Neymar just to say ‘don’t bother me,’” Kfouri said.
Even after a slightly better performance in his last match, Neymar is not at the level of the 26 players who will go to the World Cup. Pedro has a chance, but it’s not easy—he might convince coach Carlo Ancelotti. Among the others, Neymar is unlikely, though perhaps a combination could change things,” Mattos added.
Trajano also criticized goalkeeper Bento’s mistake: “A full-back takes a throw-in, and the excellent goalkeeper Bento goes for the ball and scores an own goal. It looked like something from a pickup game—or worse, not even in a drunk barbecue match does that happen. It was an unbelievable blunder. The guy takes the throw-in, Bento jumps alone to catch it, the ball slips through his hands, and it’s a goal.”
