Ancelotti was equally clear on what Endrick brings. He called the youngster “very powerful” and “very well positioned in the box,” before adding: “He takes the opportunity and scores. He’s an important player for us.”
That is the trade-off.
If Brazil line up with creators and dribblers around the front line, there is a real argument for a striker who stays high, pins centre-backs and lives for second balls. In that setup, Cunha can almost become a victim of his own versatility.
That debate feels familiar at Manchester United. Cunha appears most comfortable in central areas, but his game often pulls him toward spaces a traditional No. 9 would usually leave alone. That can be a strength, especially in a fluid attack, yet it can also leave a side without a clear finishing reference.
Reports suggest his role at Old Trafford has already shifted depending on system and personnel. He has been used across the front line and has reportedly looked especially natural when allowed to operate just behind the striker rather than as the striker.
This is not a question of quality; it is a question of fit. Cunha is good enough to start for Brazil, but whether he is the right central option depends on what Ancelotti wants the attack to look like when spaces shrink and chances dry up.
That is why the next Brazil camp will feel significant. It may not just shape the World Cup front line - it could also hint at where Cunha belongs for Manchester United next season.