Ancelotti refuses to explain why Real Madrid forward was left on the bench vs Morocco: ‘Not gonna comment’ | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti’s first FIFA World Cup match as Brazil manager ended in a 1-1 draw against Morocco, but much of the post-match discussion centred around a player who never stepped onto the pitch.

Brazil were forced to settle for a point in their Group C opener after Ismael Saibari gave Morocco the lead before Vinicius Jr. responded with a brilliant curling effort to restore parity. 

Despite creating opportunities after the break, neither side could find a winning goal.

However, while Vinicius’ performance earned praise, many supporters were left questioning Ancelotti’s decision to leave Endrick on the bench throughout the entire match.

The decision immediately reignited a familiar debate surrounding the Italian coach and the young striker, a relationship that was often scrutinised during their time together at Real Madrid.

Endrick overlooked despite evident need

As the second half progressed and Brazil searched for a winning goal, many expected Endrick to be introduced from the bench.

The 19-year-old arrived at the World Cup following an encouraging season on loan at Lyon, where he registered eight goals and eight assists during the 2025-26 campaign. 

Given his form and Brazil’s need for fresh attacking energy, the striker appeared to be a logical option during the closing stages of the game.

Yet Ancelotti chose different solutions, leaving Endrick unused as Brazil dropped points in their opening fixture.

The decision became one of the biggest talking points among supporters, particularly those who believed the youngster could have offered a different threat against a well-organised Moroccan defence.

Ancelotti avoids discussing the Real Madrid forward

Endrick was an unused substitute against Morocco. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Getty Images)

Following the match, Ancelotti was asked directly about Endrick’s absence from the action.

Rather than addressing the individual decision, the Brazil manager opted to focus on the collective performance.

When questioned about the striker, Ancelotti simply responded, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano, “I am not gonna comment on individual players. I am here to talk about the team.”

The answer did little to calm the debate because many fans had hoped for a clearer explanation, especially considering the circumstances of the match and Brazil’s struggle to find a decisive goal after Vinicius’ equaliser.

Instead, attention has continued to grow around Endrick’s role within the national team setup and whether he will receive greater opportunities as the tournament progresses.