SAO PAULO (AP) — The youngest player to score three goals for Brazil national team it was Pele. Now another player, also 17 but a few days older than one of the all-time greats, has done the same wearing the iconic yellow jersey.
Edric scored the winner for Brazil in 1-0 friendly win over England at Wembley Stadium in March, he scored another one-on-one 3-3 draw with Spain at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, and gave his side a late 3-2 win over Mexico on June 8 in the midst of preparations for the Copa America.
How far can teenage sensation go? Brazil coach Dorival Júnior, who took over in January, dropped a hint: Edric is a likely starter for the tournament in the United States in the same No. 9 jersey previously worn by two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo.
Brazilian fans and former players alike are delighted with Edric, who is expected to develop further after joining Real Madrid from Palmeiras next season. Many already see the striker as the team’s target man for the 2026 World Cup, and likely to retain that position for the next two decades. This month’s Copa America could offer a first glimpse of what Brazil’s future could look like.
Edric scored his three goals for the national team in around 100 minutes on the pitch and having only six shots on target in those three friendlies. He didn’t score against the United States on Wednesday, but had three chances in less than 30 minutes.
“We have to be calm, patient, avoid making comparisons between Edric and other athletes,” said Dorival Júnior after Brazil’s win over Mexico. “We have to be very careful with this boy. So much happens in his life in such a short time. It is important not to lose its essence. That mark (equal to Pele’s initial tally) is eye-catching and just adds to what he’s done, the achievements he’s had in such a short time.”
The teenager spoke like a veteran during his time with the Brazilian national team. Earlier in June, Edrick told The Associated Press that he still needs to introduce himself to fans. But his snapping collar during matches, deadly finishes in front of goal and obvious confidence remind many of another Brazilian goalscorer just an inch shorter – 1994 World Cup winner Romário.
“He’s a great striker, I’m sure we can hope to see a lot from him in the future,” Romário told ESPN in March. “I agree that it is too early for comparisons, especially with me. To reach Romario’s level, he has to do a lot of running.”
Edric became a favorite player at Palmeiras after 81 matches and 21 goals. The forward won the Sao Paulo league title with his former club this year and in 2023. He was also part of the team that won the Brazilian league in 2022 and 2023. He will face stiffer competition in European champions Real Madrid, but before this one needs a shot to secure his place in the national team.
He is already talking about making a statement about the team in the years to come.
“Pele is Pele. You shouldn’t make these comparisons, that’s bad. Each of us has our own story, our own life, our own reality. Just let history speak for itself,” Edrick said after the Mexico match. “I don’t care about records, I just want to enjoy myself. Every time I step on the field it’s my Disneyworld, my amusement park.”
Edric may not be bothered by the pressure, but his teammates know it’s there and motivate him to score goals and stay discreet off the field.
“We can see that he’s humble, he’s working hard and he deserves to live in the moment,” forward Gabriel Martinelli said. “It is his destiny to score. We’re very happy about it and hope he has even bigger things.”
Such is the excitement in Brazil that Ronaldo said two years ago that he would have taken a 15-year-old Edric to the World Cup in Qatar. He remains optimistic about the striker’s future with the national team — but also at the Spanish club.
“Just look at what he’s done with Brazil,” the former player said in early June. And he will do no different in Madrid.
Even coaches from other sports have noticed that Brazil’s No.9 could be special.
“The lens through which Brazilian football players are viewed is very similar to the way American athletes are viewed by their media,” Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said after his team’s Game 2 victory of the NBA. “You see Edric coming, he’ll deal with that (pressure) soon.”
The first match of Edric’s first major tournament is scheduled for June 24, when Brazil face Costa Rica in Los Angeles in the Copa America.
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