FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Copa Libertadores - Group F - Liverpool v Palmeiras - Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay - May 9, 2024 Palmeiras' Endrick in action REUTERS/Mariana Greif
(Reuters) -Brazil have included Palmeiras prodigy Endrick in their 23-player strong squad for the upcoming Copa America, but defensive midfielder Casemiro and forward Richarlison have missed out on a place, coach Dorival Junior announced on Friday.
Endrick, who is due to join Spanish giants Real Madrid when he turns 18 in July, has scored two goals in four appearances for Brazil since his debut last year. He is the youngest male player to score an international goal at Wembley.
Five-times Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Casemiro has lost out on a spot having struggled with form and fitness at his current club 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 knocked out in the quarter-finals by Croatia, but has failed to make the cut for the Selecao this time.
Richarlison, 27, has netted 12 times and provided four assists in 31 appearances across all competitions this season.
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus alongside fellow forward Matheus Cunha, who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers, were the other notable absentees.
Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid team mate Rodrygo will likely lead the forward line, with Raphinha and Gabriel Martinelli also securing a place in the squad.
Real Madrid defender Eder Militao has also made the cut after suffering a Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury earlier in the season.
Nine-times champions Brazil will kick off 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-July 14.
Brazil will play friendlies against Mexico on June 8 and the U.S. on June 12 as part of their Copa America preparation.
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).
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru)
