By Jamie Spencer
New Real Madrid forward Endrick has been handed the biggest indicator yet that he is the future of Brazil's attack thanks to his assigned shirt number for this summer's Copa America.
Endrick won't turn 18 until a week after the Copa America final and has only made four senior appearances for Brazil to date – none of which have been as a starter.
But he will wear the Selecao's legendary number nine shirt at the tournament, following in the footsteps of icons of the past like Ronaldo and 1970 World Cup winner Tostao.
Gabriel Jesus, who wore the shirt at the last two Copa America tournaments and the 2018 World Cup, and Richarlison, who had it at the last World Cup in 2022, have been left out of the squad.
Endrick has worn 21 on his back for Brazil in each of his substitute appearances so far, becoming only the second player in the national team's history after Pele to score in successive games before the age of 18. Those goals came in March friendlies against England, when he netted the winner at Wembley, and Spain, his first of what is expected to be many at the Bernabeu.
The teenager is already accustomed to wearing nine at club level, taking the shirt for Palmeiras for the duration of the 2023 season and the first half of 2024.
Of Brazil's other most famous shirts this summer, number ten has gone to soon-to-be clubmate Rodrygo, with Vinicius Junior assigned seven, just as he wears at Real Madrid.
Endrick's Madrid shirt number is not yet confirmed. He may become the club's long-term number nine, but that jersey is expected to initially go to Kylian Mbappe next season while the Frenchman waits for Luka Modric to vacate ten in 2025. The number 21 would become available if Brahim Diaz were to swap his shirt, while 15 definitely will be as Federico Valverde is trading down to eight.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Endrick handed iconic Brazil shirt number for Copa America.
