Brazil teen striker Endrick sparks national frenzy after World Cup debut

Brazilian forward Endrick drew intense public debate after sitting on the bench during the 1‑1 draw with Morocco at the World Cup. Coach Carlo Ancelotti explained, “Because it’s the first game, it’s a lot of competence… I think it’s quite normal,” as he opted for Igor Thiago in the starting line‑up.

The youngster became the most talked‑about Brazilian athlete online, logging 31,480 mentions and topping Google searches for the week. Brands rushed to cash in, with campaigns from 99, Nissan, C&A and others referencing his name or image, while social‑media activations and even a giant‑sized figurine in Recife highlighted his cultural impact.