Brazilian Prodigy Endrick Looks to Make Major Tournament Debut at Copa America

Brazil's Endrick, right, celebrates with Rodrygo after scoring his side's second goal during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP)
Brazil's Endrick, right, celebrates with Rodrygo after scoring his side's second goal during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP)
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Brazilian Prodigy Endrick Looks to Make Major Tournament Debut at Copa America

Brazil's Endrick, right, celebrates with Rodrygo after scoring his side's second goal during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP)
Brazil's Endrick, right, celebrates with Rodrygo after scoring his side's second goal during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP)

Brazil's teenage prodigy Endrick will be hoping to make his first appearance for the national team at a major tournament when his country take on Costa Rica in their Copa America opener on Monday.

The 17-year-old striker, who joined Real Madrid from Palmeiras, knows he has a long way to go to break into the Brazilian starting line-up in a squad that includes Raphinha, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo in attack.

"Only God knows (when I will start). I am very grateful to have Abel (Ferreira) as a coach, he knew when to play me. Everything is up to God and Professor Dorival Jr. He is a spectacular coach. He is doing what is best for the Brazilian team," Endrick told a press conference on Friday.

Endrick, who in March became the youngest player to score in an international match at Wembley when he gave Brazil a 1-0 win over England, made his mark in the other warm-up fixtures ahead of Copa America with a goal in a 3-2 victory over Mexico, having also scored against Spain.

The ruthless competitor added that, despite his youth, there was no pressure on him on the pitch because of his confidence against the opponents.

"I have always been very precocious in my life and since I became a professional I have played against opponents who have always teased me, insulted me, talked about my family, my girlfriend," he said.

"But I got used to it quickly because I was 16. I'm calm and I hope I can help, I think it's right, in football you have to destabilize the other player. It's been like that since I arrived, so I've adapted and I'm very confident that I can help the team."

Brazil will also face Paraguay and Colombia in Group D.



Casper Makes It 2-0 to Ruud Family After Beating Korda in Madrid 

Norway's Casper Ruud returns the ball to US Sebastian Korda during their 2025 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament third round singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 27, 2025. (AFP)
Norway's Casper Ruud returns the ball to US Sebastian Korda during their 2025 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament third round singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 27, 2025. (AFP)
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Casper Makes It 2-0 to Ruud Family After Beating Korda in Madrid 

Norway's Casper Ruud returns the ball to US Sebastian Korda during their 2025 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament third round singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 27, 2025. (AFP)
Norway's Casper Ruud returns the ball to US Sebastian Korda during their 2025 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament third round singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 27, 2025. (AFP)

Casper Ruud said gaining revenge for his family was on his mind during his win over Sebastian Korda at the Madrid Open on Sunday but the Norwegian could only grin sheepishly after learning his father Christian had actually beaten Petr Korda 26 years ago.

Christian Ruud defeated former world number two Petr Korda in their only meeting on the ATP Tour at the Miami Open in 1999, a stat which surprised world number 15.

"Honestly I thought he had lost to Petr before, so I was out here seeking revenge for the family, but this is an even better statistic for us," he said after his 6-3 6-3 win on Sunday.

"We'll try to keep it alive for as long as possible. It's fun that you see certain situations like this where father and son have played and are doing well.

"I'm sure Sebi and I will play many more times in our career and I'll try my best to keep him behind me but at some point I'm sure he'll catch up or get a win over the Ruud family."

Victory was Ruud's 150th win on clay and the twice French Open runner-up will continue his preparations for the May 25-June 8 Grand Slam when he meets third-seeded American Taylor Fritz in the Madrid round of 16.