Neymar Has Become the Squad's Mentor — and Endrick Is Already Feeling It
A substitute still recovering from injury, Neymar is quietly guiding Brazil's young stars behind the scenes at the 2026 World Cup. Endrick reveals how special that bond has become.
For 13 years, Neymar was the hero of the story. At the 2026 World Cup, the script has changed — and perhaps for the better.
Called up still recovering from injury, the No. 10 arrived at the tournament as a substitute, a weapon for the second half. But what happens off the pitch may be just as valuable as anything he does on it.
In the 2–1 round-of-16 win over Japan, one moment said it all: Neymar stepped off the bench during a water break, walked up to Rayan and said, plainly, "go at them." Later, he led the celebration after Casemiro's goal. Present. Fully engaged. Even without playing a minute.
Endrick, 19, one of the youngest players in the squad, makes no secret of what that connection means to him. "I have a really good relationship with Ney," the striker said. "We mess around after training, play cards, just hang out. He talked to me. It's so important to talk to the people who are the captains of the national team. Learning from them is something wonderful."
Neymar was always a technical reference — a leader through what he did with the ball. Now, his leadership comes through what he says, what he passes on. It's a different kind of starring role. No less important.
Golmetria's model gives Brazil a 7.55% chance of lifting the trophy — and the squad is already in the quarterfinals, with a 61.6% probability of advancing further. The path is there. And if Neymar isn't the man who decides things on the pitch, he may be exactly the one preparing whoever will.