The collateral damage of the 4-0 in the last Clásico is taking its toll on Endrick, last summer's brand new transfer by Real Madrid who was going to conquer the world. Not only has he not conquered the world, but Raphinha has brought him down to earth.
Raphinha and Ancelotti Kick Endrick out of the National Team
Endrick doesn't play for Real Madrid, although that's a problem for the coach and the president who signed him. He's no longer drafted for the Brazilian national team and that's where Barcelona player Raphinha has a lot of responsibility.
Raphinha is probably the fittest player in the Spanish league. His goals, assists, magical plays and his inexhaustible spirit of sacrifice for the team have reached Brazil.
That's why the coach is clear about it. While waiting for Neymar to return, there's Vinícius on one side and Raphinha on the other.
There's no room for Endrick, the same player to whom the Real Madrid media reserved the first Ballon d'Or after Vinícius's bad news.
Even though Endrick is a Real Madrid player, he has no place in Brazil; that's reality.
Brazil Doesn't Want to Solve Ancelotti's Problems
A substitute at Real Madrid and not drafted by his national team. His value has started to fall since he signed for Real Madrid.
Asked about Endrick's absence from his last squad, Brazilian coach Dorival Jr. was very clear: Brazil is not there to solve the problems of clubs. Brazil needs immediate performance and that can't be given to them by someone who never plays.
That's why Raphinha has taken Endrick's place in the Canarinha. Dorival watches all of Barça's games and when he calls Raphinha he knows he's calling up a player in good shape. This doesn't happen in the case of Endrick, however much Vinícius is surprised.
Dorival Jr. has been very clear: "I don't have time to train," he said, admitting that he needs players who are ready to play and not players who need to warm up.
The Brazilian coach has no doubts about Endrick's qualities. If he doesn't play for Real Madrid, tough, he won't play for the national team either.
Has Endrick made a mistake by signing for Real Madrid? Time seems to be beginning to tell us that he did.
Endrick is One Year Older than Lamine Yamal
Endrick was convinced that, unlike Vitor Roque, he would arrive at Real Madrid and triumph in style. Endrick is one year older than Lamine Lamal but far from the level that the Barcelona player has reached.
Some media have reported that Florentino Pérez has asked Ancelotti to give Endrick more playing time. This would justify a transfer that is in danger of going bankrupt.
Florentino paid 60 million for a 16-year-old footballer. Two years later, it seems that the boy is not what the president of Real Madrid was led to believe.
At Madrid, it's better to make a mistake with a 16-year-old Brazilian who costs 60 million than to bet on a youth-team player without glamour at zero cost.
If Ancelotti continues to condemn Endrick to the bench and Brazil forgets about him completely, the Italian coach will have a problem. A serious problem; and Ancelotti knows it.