Vinicius Junior. File photo: Getty ImagesBrazil's hopes of clinching the FIFA U-17 World Cup have suffered a big blow with their super player Vinicius Junior not being released by his club Flamengo.
The 17-year-old striker, who Real Madrid purchased for a whopping €46 million but remains on loan at the Rio de Janeiro-based club, was to join the rest of his team-mates on Saturday in Mumbai.
The Brazil football federation (CBF) and Flamengo had an agreement and the player also had a visa to travel to India. However, according to reports the club decided after their defeat in the Copa do Brasil final to Cruzeiro that they would not release the player for international duty. Flamengo lost the final in a controversial penalty shootout on Wednesday.
Brazil take on Spain in their opening match in Kochi on October 7. North Korea and Niger are the other teams in Group D.
Brazil have a huge fan following in Kerala and Vinicius' absence is a big blow for their supporters.
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