Brazil have called up teenage Real Madrid striker Endrick to replace the injured Neymar for this month's World Cup qualifiers, the country's FA announced on Friday. Santos forward Neymar was set to make his return to the Brazil team after more than a year on the sidelines due to a knee injury suffered in late 2023.

Neymar's return to action for Brazil will be delayed yet longer after the forward was ruled out of his country's squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers on Friday due to a thigh injury.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Neymar was ruled out by Brazil on Friday for World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina this month. Neymar, goalkeeper Ederson and defender Danilo were not fit to play for unspecified reasons, coach Dorival Júnior said in a video published by the Brazil Football Confederation.

Real Madrid striker Endrick replaced Neymar in the squad. Ederson's substitute was Lyon's Lucas Perri, while Flamengo defender Danilo was replaced by his club teammate Alex Sandro, also a Brazil veteran.