Carlo Ancelotti has a message for anyone wondering why Endrick didn’t get off the bench in Brazil’s World Cup opener: relax.

The Brazil manager addressed reporters after the Seleção’s 1-1 draw against Morocco, making clear that the young Real Madrid forward needs time to develop, not pressure to perform on the biggest stage right now. Endrick went the full 90 minutes as an unused substitute, and Ancelotti was unapologetic about it.

The coach’s careful calculus

Ancelotti’s post-match comments centered on a single theme: patience. “We need to be patient with Endrick,” he said, framing the teenager’s absence from the pitch as a deliberate developmental choice rather than a snub.

Ancelotti positioned the forward as someone who will be important for Brazil not just in this tournament cycle but in the next one as well, specifically referencing the 2030 World Cup.

Ancelotti also pushed back on reports that he had advised Endrick to leave Real Madrid before the World Cup in search of more playing time.

Endrick’s road to this point

Endrick burst onto the scene at Palmeiras as a teenager before moving to Real Madrid. At 19-20 years old, he has found minutes hard to come by at club level, and Ancelotti’s approach with the national team has been similarly cautious. The research notes his conservative management of young players echoes his prior treatment of talents like Arda Güler at Real Madrid.

What this means going forward

Brazil’s group-stage schedule continues with a match against Haiti, and Ancelotti indicated that lineup adjustments are coming.

The 1-1 draw against Morocco wasn’t the result Brazil wanted, and it puts some pressure on the remaining group matches. Ancelotti now has to balance his long-term vision for players like Endrick against the short-term reality that Brazil needs points.