Carlo Ancelotti addresses reports claiming he said Endrick must leave Real Madrid to earn Brazil call-up for 2026 World Cup

Brazil national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti has addressed recent reports suggesting that he said young Brazilian forward Endrick should leave Real Madrid to secure a place in the national team’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ancelotti dismissed the claims outright, emphasizing his words were taken out of context and that he had never advised the club or player on such matters.

Endrick, who joined Los Blancos in 2024, has had a hard time breaking into the starting XI at the Spanish capital. So far this season, he has made only one appearance for the Whites, which was a substitute appearance. His lack of game time at Madrid has seemingly affected his minutes with Brazil.

The young forward only played a bit-part role for Seleção in the World Cup qualifiers. Adding insult to injury, he wasn’t called up for the country’s friendly matches in October and isn’t among the list of players called up for the upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia this month.

Earlier this week, Ancelotti revealed in an interview with PLACAR that he told Endrick to ‘see what’s best for him,’ suggesting that he could get a spot in the squad for next year’s World Cup. However, reports later circulated claiming Ancelotti had urged Endrick to leave Madrid, possibly on loan, to increase his chances of being called up for the 2026 World Cup.

During a recent interview with Diario AS, Ancelotti debunked the claims, saying those who said them were 'wrong.'

“He's a very important player because he's one of the talents to have come out of Brazilian football. We're evaluating him. But it's not true that I said Endrick should leave Real Madrid to go to the World Cup. That's a matter between Real Madrid and the player. Those who say I said that are wrong. He should talk to the club and make the best decision for himself and for Real Madrid. I would never advise Real Madrid on what to do with one of their players. The club knows very well what it has to do," Ancelotti said.

However, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Los Blancos and Olympique Lyon are close to agreeing on terms for Endrick's loan, with the player keen to join the Ligue 1 side.

Ancelotti provides response why Vinicius Jr. hasn’t been able to replicate his Real Madrid heroics with the Brazil national team

In the same interview, Ancelotti admitted that Vinicius hasn’t yet been able ‘to reach the level’ he usually shows at Madrid when playing for Seleção. However, he noted that the 25-year-old has recently improved with the national team.

“That's true. With the national team, he hasn't been able to reach the level he usually has at Real Madrid. But in these last few matches, he's improved and has done very well with Brazil, scoring goals and providing assists. Nobody can dispute his qualities. Vini is top-class,” Ancelotti claimed.

Unlike Endrick, Vinicius has always been called up for international duty and is part of the squad for the games against Senegal and Tunisia.