Endrick, the 17-year-old new Real Madrid striker, has been given the coveted number nine shirt for Brazil's upcoming Copa America. Despite only appearing in four senior games for his country, he has been entrusted with the future of the Selecao's attack. He follows in the footsteps of legends like Ronaldo and Tostao, and the pressure is on for him to prove himself on the big stage. Meanwhile, established players like Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus have been left off the roster, making room for Endrick to shine.
Endrick Takes the Stage at Copa América
In a bold move, Brazil's national football team has entrusted the prestigious number nine shirt to 17-year-old Real Madrid striker Endrick for the upcoming Copa América tournament. Despite his limited experience at the senior international level, the highly touted prospect will be expected to lead the Selecao's attack.
A Symbol of Brazil's Footballing Legacy
The number nine shirt holds immense significance in Brazilian football history. Past legends such as Ronaldo (Nazário), Tostão, and Careca have worn this number with distinction, cementing its status as a symbol of the country's attacking prowess. By giving Endrick this jersey, Brazil demonstrates its confidence in his potential to emulate these icons.
Endrick's Meteoric Rise
Endrick rose to prominence at the youth level, showcasing exceptional skills and scoring abilities. He made his professional debut in 2022 and quickly established himself as a key player for Palmeiras. His prolific goalscoring form caught the attention of European giants, and Real Madrid secured his transfer in 2023 for a reported fee of €72 million.
Pressure and Expectations
Endrick's inclusion in the Copa América squad has been met with both excitement and skepticism. Some believe he is not yet ready for the international spotlight, while others hail it as a courageous decision to invest in the future. The teenager will face immense pressure to perform and prove that he deserves the iconic number nine shirt.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why has Endrick been given the number nine shirt? Answer: Brazil is showcasing its confidence in his potential to be the future of the team's attack.
2. Which other players have worn the number nine shirt for Brazil? Answer: Notable players include Ronaldo, Tostão, Careca, Romário, and Luis Fabiano.
3. What are Endrick's strengths and weaknesses? Answer: His strengths include his pace, dribbling, and finishing ability. However, he lacks experience at the senior international level.
4. Who will Endrick be competing against for a starting role? Answer: Established players such as Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, and Roberto Firmino will be Endrick's main rivals for a starting spot.
5. What are Brazil's expectations for the Copa América? Answer: As one of the strongest teams in South America, Brazil will be aiming to win the Copa América and claim their first title since 2019.
India's Jasprit Bumrah has cemented his position as one of cricket's greatest fast bowlers with an impressive performance in the ongoing Test series against Australia. With career-threatening back problems in the past, the 31-year-old has surpassed Kapil Dev to become India's leading Test wicket-taker in Australia. Former players and opponents alike have praised Bumrah for his skill and dominance on the field, with some even considering him to be one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin announces his retirement from international cricket after the end of the third Test match between India and Australia. In a throwback video, Ashwin is seen having fun with the Indian team's support staff as he gives them bowling lessons. However, rumors suggest that Ashwin's decision to retire mid-series was due to his desire to only play if he was guaranteed a spot in the playing XI. Despite this, Ashwin leaves behind a legacy of being a fierce competitor and a beloved teammate.
KL Rahul has been in exceptional form for the India National Cricket Team during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 20924-25. Former players Sunil Gavaskar and Matthew Hayden have praised his technique and concentration, comparing him to top batsmen like Kane Williamson. Despite frustrating rain breaks and Steve Smith's stunning catch, Rahul's knock of 84 runs helped India avoid a follow on against Australia in the third test. However, questions arise about Rishabh Pant's form in the series.
Mitchell Starc, the pace bowler for Australia, has praised Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, calling him "a bit of a thorn" for their team in matches played in India and Australia. After Ashwin announced his unexpected retirement from Test cricket with 537 wickets, Starc celebrated his career and partnership with Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who also has over 500 wickets. Ashwin's contributions have been crucial in India's series victories against Australia, making him a formidable opponent in their eyes.
After a recent dip in form, Arsenal is looking to bounce back in the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace tonight. With their Premier League title hopes fading, Mikel Arteta's side is counting on a win to lift their spirits. But they face a tough challenge against an in-form Palace who is unbeaten in five and coming off a big win against rivals Brighton. Catch all the action as Arsenal hosts Palace at the Emirates, with the unusual kick-off time of 7:30pm.
After the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended in a draw, Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin announced his immediate retirement from international cricket. He expressed his desire to now focus on club-level cricket and thanked his fellow teammates and coaches for their support throughout his career. Emotions ran high in the Indian dressing room as Ashwin bid farewell to his international cricket journey.
India's star bowler Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his sudden retirement from Test cricket amid reports of injuries and uncertainty about his place on the team. The decision, made just before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, has left his teammates and fans in shock. Ashwin, who has picked up 537 wickets in 106 Tests, was not a consistent starter in overseas matches and struggled with injury problems in his final days on the field.
Former India captain Virat Kohli wrote a heartfelt post on the retirement of his longtime teammate Ravichandran Ashwin from international cricket. Kohli mentioned that he only found out about Ashwin's decision on Wednesday, but a video that went viral on social media showed Kohli hugging Ashwin, possibly after finding out about his retirement. However, captain Rohit Sharma revealed that he had known about Ashwin's decision since the Perth Test in November, indicating that there may have been previous conversations about retirement within the team.
In a thrilling quarter-final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace, Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus scored all three goals for Arsenal, including a controversial second goal from an offside position. Despite protests from Crystal Palace, there was no video review available as per the competition rules. Jesus' hat trick, his first for Arsenal, secured a 3-2 victory and a spot in the League Cup semifinals for the Gunners.
Arsenal's win against Crystal Palace with a dominant performance from Gabriel Jesus, who scored a hat-trick, proves that their offensive struggles are not just due to a lack of a top striker. The Gunners' issue is instead a creative one, as they rely heavily on Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard for attacking prowess. While the team may still be in need of reinforcements, this win showed that Arsenal has the potential to perform without a star striker.