Vinicius Jr Will Skip U-17 World Cup

Real Madrid’s prodigy, 17-year-old Vinicius Jr. who currently plays with Flamengo in Brazil, will not play in this summer’s U-17 World Cup in India, according to Flamengo head coach Reinaldo Rueda.

Vinicius, who’s scored two goal this season until now, has not played for Real Madrid yet, and will not officially be a Real Madrid player until the age of 18 in order to avoid signing him as an underage player.

Rueda said that decision not to send Vinicius to the World Cup was made by both club and player.

"It was a situation analyzed with the board, with the commission and Vinicius," he said on Friday.

"We want the best for him. He is a conscious, intelligent player, important to the national team, but he did not participate in the weeks of preparation.

"He knows he can come and help, but he also wants to respect that.

"He knows the Selecao has good players and still stay with us. We hope the squad is successful in the World Cup."