I mean, as a Brazilian and consequently someone more qualified to speak, the young players usually get more hate and questioning than hype from most people. Sure, there are expectations and hope, but this leads to more nitpicking than anything else. There is just a general international trend of expecting Brazil to produce one or two Balon d’Or level players for generation, which is just a rational response to the fact that we have done that for decades on end, more so than any other country. From the 90s to now, it went Romario>Ronaldo>Rivaldo>Ronaldinho>Kaká>Neymar, and there are probably a few incoming in the next generation. People like Perez are simply trying to get them before others do, just like the media.

Neymar and Ronaldo are two success stories of sorts, coming from Brazil. Both got a lot of attention from very early on (17 or 18) and both reached the top of the sport. Neymar was even more hyped than Endrick is being now, really. Robinho and Pato are two cases where the players failed to reach their potential (Pato is probably a good comp to Endrick’s current hype, as Pato was also a legitimately good player at 17 but got messed up by injuries).

Messi and Mbappe were very hyped from very early on too, to name players outside of Brazil. Both were being invited to top clubs in their early 10s and offered positions in youth academies in exchange for good money, and both were treated as the next big things when they were 17 or 18.

I mean, every single footballing nation in the world is looking for stars at the youth level, it’s simply good business. We just produce them in greater frequency because of our population and culture, and people have noticed it (see Florentino Perez). There are always odds that a Balon d’Or level player or two or three is coming from Brazil at any moment (Neymar>Ronaldinho>Rivaldo>Ronaldo>Romario, etc). It was just a matter of time for someone to come, as Neymar ages.

Argentinians are super hyper, lol. Chelsea paid 120M for Enzo out of nowhere. Messi gained a lot of attention very early on too.

It’s an oldhead/newcomers thing. Newcomers are more impressionable and have been calling Messi the GOAT for years, but older people generally saw more Messi-level players and need more for a player in order to go with the hype. In that sense, Messi only reached his potential with the world cup.

And before you disagree, consider that from now on, you’ll compare all the newcomers to Messi. You’ll become one of the very exigent oldheads too.

It should be pointed out that Endrick reached 56 games younger than the other two, tbh (which also led to him playing fewer minutes per game). I think both were already over 18 at that point, and Endrick is 17 and 4 months.

We are living in some’s Football Manager save

More on the midfield than on the defense I would say, as the back line of 4 is fighting for its life against 6 dudes with only one midfielder tracking back

Biggest bottle job I have ever seen. They turned two 3x1 into 3x4 in a FUCKING WEEK

Eurocentric as hell, as expected. Imagine putting Bologna, Rennes, Freiburg, Lens, Union Saint Gilloise, and the like ahead of Palmeiras, Fluminense, or Flamengo.

It is borderline irrational, as Flamengo is literally significantly richer than those clubs and has access to a much bigger and better talent pool at a lower price.

Best league in the world bar none

At the last world cup when Spain threw a game to avoid us? I’m pretty sure that everyone was pretty scared of us until the Croatia game, lol. This sub is so reactive

Henry wasn’t ever there best player in the world

English players. This sub did the same to rashford last year, people were arguing that he was a better winger than Vini

England has a good player

Because Real Madrid literally showed in practice that whenever they pay tens of millions for a Brazilian kid, there is a high chance that it was a good deal. Neymar, Vini, Rodrigo and Marcelo had to prove this on the pitch, all being vital in UCL wins, objectively undeniable success. Others get much more praise with way less done. It extends beyond the guys I mentioned - just compare how much attention is given to Alisson or Ederson relative to Ter Steven or Courtois, too. Alisson, like Vini, was snubbed from being in the list of the best keeper; Casemiro and Thiago Silva had to move to England in their 30s to start being seen after very successful careers. Can you imagine the attention that an English kid would get for doing this and what rodrygo did to city?

Because Real Madrid literally showed in practice that whenever they pay tens of millions for a Brazilian kid, there is a high chance that it was a good deal. Neymar, Vini, Rodrigo and Marcelo had to prove this on the pitch, all being vital in UCL wins, objectively undeniable success. Others get much more praise with way less done. It extends beyond the guys I mentioned - just compare how much attention is given to Alisson or Ederson relative to Ter Steven or Courtois, too. Alisson, like Vini, was snubbed from being in the list of the best keeper; Casemiro and Thiago Silva had to move to England in their 30s to start being seen after very successful careers. Can you imagine the attention that an English kid would get for doing this and what rodrygo did to city?

Imagine thinking a Brazilian would get this dickridding after so little, lol. Vini won an UCL with a goal in the final, slapped everyone around for a full season, was recognized by some in the sport as top 3 in the world, and… Was left behind Declan Rice and 9 other players in the “the best” shortlist. Only a few select countries get this media attention

Imagine thinking a Brazilian would get this dickridding after so little, lol. Vini won an UCL with a goal in the final, slapped everyone around for a full season, was recognized by some in the sport as top 3 in the world, and… Was left behind Declan Rice and 9 other players in the “the best” shortlist. Only a few select countries get this media attention