Vinicius Jr and Endrick face international ban after Brazil president makes bizarre demand

Brazil’s president wants to see his nation rely on players who play their trade in their own country placing the likes of Vinicius Junior, Endrick and Rodrygo at risk of losing their positions

Brazil president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called on his nation to only utilise players that play in their home country, in startling talks with football chiefs.

If Lula was to have his way, Real Madrid stars Vinicius Jr, Endrick, Eder Militao and Rodrygo would all be ineligible to represent Brazil, in addition to prominent Premier League figures in Alisson Becker, Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes. The president confirmed during a radio interview that he had even lobbied Ednaldo Rodrigues, the head of the Brazil’s Football Federation, to look locally for international stars.

The South American leader savagely critiqued Brazil’s players who ply their trade abroad and suggested they are not up to the standards of ‘Garrincha or Romario’. Instead, he argued they were ‘a bunch of young players who are not yet stars’.

The stiff criticism of players, including a contingent from Los Blancos who found success in La Liga, the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup, comes amid Brazil’s problematic form. A recent defeat to Paraguay and an quarter-final exit to Uruguay in the summer’s Copa America has ensured a difficult start to life in charge for Dorival Junior.

A 2-1 win over Chile this week saw Igor Jesus and Luiz Henrique net, with the both representatives of Brazilian side Botafogo. Perhaps their crucial involvment emboldened the president to speak out publically.

“Those who are abroad are not better than those here,” President Lula said. “In Brazil, there are good players of the same quality (as those abroad), so give opportunities to those who are here.”

Junior’s current squad included just seven players from Brazilian clubs out of 23. The Brazil boss did start Jesus directly ahead of Real Madrid youngster Endrick however. The coach explained his decision as the 18-year-old continues to settle in the Spanish capital after joining from Palmeiras in the summer.

“Endrick is still trying to get to know his club, his moment, arriving at the biggest club in world football, having a lot of competition, but still being able to make his point,” he said. “It’s a matter of finding that moment for him in the team. I think that for this moment, Igor’s own experience and moment is a little different. Who knows, it might be important to have players with that profile for a game of this size.”

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