FIFA U-17 WC: Helio Junio to replace injured Vinicius

The Brazilian Federation had requested FIFA for Vinicius' replacement and it was granted as Helio Junio flew in to join the team ahead of Brazil's match against North Korea.

Helio Junio will replace an injured Vinicius Jr (in pic) after the latter picked up a knee injury while playing for Brazilian club Flamengo.

Midfielder Helio Junio of Sao Paulo will replace injured striker Vinicius Junior in the Brazil squad for the ongoing FIFA Under-17 World Cup. 

Vinicius Junior was injured his knee while playing for Flamengo in the final of Copa do Brasil against Cruzeiro. FIFA rules stipulate that a team can ask for replacement if the player named in the original squad is injured.

READ: Vinicius Jr to miss FIFA U-17 World Cup

Vinicius was named in the original squad by the federation but didn't travel with the team to India. There was speculation that Vinicius' absence had to do with Flamengo refusing him permission to play the World Cup. 

Brazilian captain Vitao at the pre-match conference ended the speculation by revealing that Vinicius was injured and the whole team had sent him wishes to get well soon.

The Brazilian Federation had requested FIFA for Vinicius' replacement and it was granted. Helio Junio flew in to join the team on the eve of Brazil's match against North Korea.

READ: FIFA U-17 WC: Brazil trumps Spain in a thrilling encounter

However, Helio will have to wait to make his debut in the World Cup as Brazilian coach Carlos Amadeu made it clear that he is not going to change the winning combination.

"It will be unfair to them. I want to give as many chances to the players. They had done well against Spain and I will field the same team against North Korea,'' he said after the team's practice session at Maharaja's College Ground on Monday.