Brazil's latest World Cup campaign appeared destined to bring controversy.
Neymar is back in Brazil's squad after a three-year absence, but while the world's most expensive player has yet to feature, another key omission is more pressing.
Endrick was also enlisted into the Selecao's World Cup campaign following a productive half-season spell with Lyon after a slow start to life with Real Madrid.
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The teenager's upturn in form flew in the face of a difficult six months at the Bernabeu during which new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso faltered spectacularly.
Endrick's first-team prospects for Los Blancos suffered heavily as the beleaguered World Cup winner restricted him to just four appearances in all competitions.
His temporary move to Ligue 1 proved a transformative one with eight goals and assists apiece in 21 outings for Lyon as they secured a Champions League return.
That purple patch saw Endrick rewarded with a spot in the Brazil squad for the March international friendlies and instantly repaid Carlo Ancelotti's faith.
Within 14 minutes of coming on against Croatia, the 19-year-old had a hand in two of goals; winning a penalty for Igor Thiago and teeing up Gabriel Martinelli.
But Endrick's Selecao prospects remain mired in increasing confusion under the man who presided over his daunting debut season in the Spanish capital.
He was overlooked for the pre-World Cup friendlies against Panama and Egypt before also missing out on his country's tournament opener with Morocco.
On each occasion, fans chanted for Endrick's introduction and were vindicated as his second-half cameo produced another goal to tip the balance gainst the Pharaohs.
A second substitute appearance in the 3-0 win over Haiti did little to sate Brazilians' appetite to see their latest rising star with Ancelotti firmly under the microscope.
The Italian has damned Endrick with faint praise by descripting him as 'an extraordinary talent' while also shutting down the debate over a starring role.
His reluctance to utilise his former Madrid player has become meme material on Brazilian social media with the pair cast as polar opposites in comical scenarios.
Ancelotti is notorious for attempting to harness his tactical system to players' strengths and clearly feels Endrick is most impactful from the substitutes' bench.
It's a credible theory but until the teen sensation is able to prove him wrong from a starting berth, the debate - and the memes - will continue to rumble on.
