FIFA Teams Up with WHO on Global Concussion Campaign

epa11607453 Jordynn Dudley (R) of the USA vies for the ball with Vanessa Diehm of Germany during a FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup quarter final soccer match between the USA and Germany at Pascual Guerrero stadium in Cali, Colombia, 15 September 2024.  EPA/ERNESTO GUZMAN JR.
epa11607453 Jordynn Dudley (R) of the USA vies for the ball with Vanessa Diehm of Germany during a FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup quarter final soccer match between the USA and Germany at Pascual Guerrero stadium in Cali, Colombia, 15 September 2024. EPA/ERNESTO GUZMAN JR.
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FIFA Teams Up with WHO on Global Concussion Campaign

epa11607453 Jordynn Dudley (R) of the USA vies for the ball with Vanessa Diehm of Germany during a FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup quarter final soccer match between the USA and Germany at Pascual Guerrero stadium in Cali, Colombia, 15 September 2024.  EPA/ERNESTO GUZMAN JR.
epa11607453 Jordynn Dudley (R) of the USA vies for the ball with Vanessa Diehm of Germany during a FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup quarter final soccer match between the USA and Germany at Pascual Guerrero stadium in Cali, Colombia, 15 September 2024. EPA/ERNESTO GUZMAN JR.

Soccer's governing body FIFA and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday launched a global concussion awareness initiative developed with brain health experts.
The 'Suspect and Protect: No Match is Worth the Risk' scheme aims to highlight the risks of traumatic brain injury and offer resources on the subject, they said in a joint statement.
"By knowing the signs of concussion, by being aware of the risks, and by treating a concussion correctly, you can help to put player safety first," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved permanent concussion substitutes in March after a trial, with the rule implemented in this year's Copa America.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said concussion needed greater awareness at all levels of the game.
"WHO is proud to team up with FIFA... to promote ways to protect the brains of footballers," he added.



Brazil Teenager Endrick Becomes Real Madrid’s Youngest Champions League Scorer 

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #16 Endrick celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 1 football match between Real Madrid CF and Stuttgart VFB at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 17, 2024. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #16 Endrick celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 1 football match between Real Madrid CF and Stuttgart VFB at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 17, 2024. (AFP)
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Brazil Teenager Endrick Becomes Real Madrid’s Youngest Champions League Scorer 

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #16 Endrick celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 1 football match between Real Madrid CF and Stuttgart VFB at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 17, 2024. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #16 Endrick celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 1 football match between Real Madrid CF and Stuttgart VFB at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 17, 2024. (AFP)

Endrick became Real Madrid’s youngest Champions League scorer on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old Brazil forward scored with a shot from outside the area deep into stoppage time in Madrid’s 3-1 win over Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

At 18 years and 58 days, he surpassed former Madrid great Raúl González, who was 18 years and 113 days old when he scored a hat trick in Madrid’s 6-1 win against Ferencvárosi in 1995, according to UEFA.

Endrick came into the match in the 80th to replace Jude Bellingham.

His goal came off a breakaway that started back in the Madrid defense. The youngster made a long run and had the option to feed either Kylian Mbappé or Vinícius Júnior, but he preferred to take a low shot with his left foot. Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel got his hands to the ball but couldn’t keep it from going in.

“I had passed the ball to Vini the first time, but then I felt that the best option was to take the shot and it went in,” Endrick said.

It was the first Champions League goal for the Brazilian, who went near the crowd behind the goal to celebrate close to the fans.

Rodrygo, Endrick’s Brazil teammate, joked that Endrick “was crazy” to take that shot.

“He did something that no one would have done it,” Rodrygo said. “I’m really happy for him, it’s always special to score in the Champions League.”

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Endrick showed “a lot of confidence” by attempting the shot, but joked that “I would have killed him if he had failed.”

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Endrick “had a lot of guts to take the shot.”

It was Endrick’s second goal since joining Madrid from Brazilian club Palmeiras this season. The first had come in his Madrid debut in the Spanish league.