Brazil Faces Mexico Without Young Stars in U-20 World Cup Opener

BRASILIA, Brazil — The U-20 World Cup is underway, with Brazil facing Mexico in their Group C opener on September 28, 2025. Both teams are eager to start off strongly, but Brazil’s lineup is missing key players Endrick and Estevao.

This tournament has historically launched the careers of legends like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Mohamed Salah. However, this edition notably lacks elite young talent as many clubs are holding onto their top prospects due to competitive priorities.

Group C is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s toughest, featuring Brazil, Mexico, Spain, and Morocco. Every absence could be decisive in the quest for advancement.

Brazil’s situation is compounded by factors beyond technical or medical decisions. Endrick is recovering from a four-month injury layoff, while Estevao has just begun his career at Chelsea. FIFA regulations require clubs to release players only for senior international duty, leaving the decision for youth tournaments in the hands of the clubs.

Consequently, Brazil will miss two players expected to define their future. Endrick is now tied to Real Madrid, and Estevao is in a first-team environment at Chelsea, where their clubs opted to prioritize their development.

This absence forces Brazil to rethink their tactical approach and opens the door for younger talents to shine. Despite these setbacks, Brazil enters the tournament as one of the favorites. They last won the U-20 World Cup in 2011, with a team that included Philippe Coutinho and Oscar.

The current squad blends skill and power, with standout players like Deivid Washington (Chelsea), Luigi (Palmeiras), Wesley (Al-Nassr), and Pedrinho (Zenit St. Petersburg). Coming off a championship run at the South American U-20 tournament, Brazil seeks both to reclaim global supremacy and showcase the next wave of big talents.

For fans, the absence of Endrick and Estevao is disappointing. However, for the players who have traveled to compete, this represents a rare opportunity. The match against Mexico will be their first test to see how well Brazil can adapt without its biggest stars.