Casemiro, Richarlison out of Brazil's Copa America squad, Endrick makes cut

Brazil have included Palmeiras prodigy Endrick to their 23-man squad for the upcoming Copa America, but defensive midfielder Casemiro and forward Richarlison have been left out, coach Dorival Junior announced on Friday.

Endrick, who will join Spanish club Real Madrid when he turns 18 in July, has two goals in four appearances for Brazil since making his debut last year. He is the youngest male footballer to score an international goal at Wembley.

Casemiro, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, missed out on a spot after struggling with form and fitness at Manchester United. The 32-year-old has been capped 75 times.

Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison was Brazil's top scorer at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Croatia, but he did not make the squad this time.

Richarlison, 27, has 12 goals and four assists in 31 games across all competitions this season.

Other notable absentees included Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus and Wolverhampton Wanderers' forward Matheus Cunha.

Vinicius Jr. and Real Madrid teammate Rodrygo are expected to lead the forward line, with Raphinha and Gabriel Martinelli also joining the squad.

Real Madrid defender Eder Militao has also been named to the squad, despite suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury earlier this season.

Nine-time champions Brazil will begin their Copa America campaign against Costa Rica on June 24, followed by Paraguay on June 28, and Colombia on July 2. The quadrennial tournament will be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14.

Brazil will play friendly matches against Mexico on June 8 and the United States on June 12 as part of their Copa America preparations.

BRAZIL SQUAD:

Goalkeeper - Bento (Athletico Paranaense), Ederson (Manchester City), Alisson Becker (Liverpool)

Full backs - Danilo (Juventus), Yan Couto (Girona), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Wendell (Porto)

Centre backs - Lucas Beraldo (Paris St Germain), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Marquinhos (Paris St Germain)

Midfielders - Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Joao Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United)

Forwards - Endrick (Palmeiras), Evanilson (Porto), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Raphinha (Barcelona), Savinho (Girona), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).

SportsLigue