Brazil’s star forward Vinicius Junior will not be travelling to India for the Under-17 World Cup. The 17-year-old Real Madrid player, who is currently on with Brazilian club Flamengo, has not been released by the side, the Brazilian football federation has confirmed in a statement.
Vinicius, who was secured by Spanish giants Real Madrid for €45 million and sent back on loan to Flamengo for a year, was scheduled to join the Brazil Under-17 side in India on Saturday after playing in the Copa do Brasil final on Wednesday.
However, after the team’s loss on in the high-profile game, the club decided that they will not release the player. Flamengo had arranged for the player to be released only if they won the championship, according to reports.
“It was a situation analysed by the board, with the coaches and with Vinicius,” Flamengo manager Reinaldo Rueda was quoted as saying by ESPN FC. “He has not taken part in the weeks of preparation...He knows that the national team has good players and he will stay with us. We hope the national team has success in the World Cup,” he added.
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