FORMER Brazil striker Bebeto has expressed strong support for rising star Endrick to recreate one of football’s most iconic celebrations at the FIFA World Cup 2026, drawing a direct line between Brazil’s 1994 glory and its next-generation ambitions.
Three decades after his famous “baby-rocking” gesture lit up the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA, Bebeto says he would welcome Endrick repeating the moment in North America this summer—especially as the young forward prepares for fatherhood.
The 1994 World Cup winner, who played a key role in Brazil’s fourth world title, believes the emotional parallel between the two players adds deeper meaning to the gesture that became one of football’s most recognisable celebrations.
“I’ll be backing him all the way,” said Romario’s former strike partner in an interview with FIFA published on Friday June 5, 2026.
Bebeto continued, “He’s destined for greatness. I’m hoping he comes good and gets his goal. And if he does, he should pay tribute to his baby boy and wife. After all, family is everything.”
Bebeto, who formed part of Brazil’s legendary attacking unit alongside Romário and Mazinho, famously introduced the celebration after scoring against the Netherlands in the 1994 quarter-finals—just days after the birth of his son Mattheus.
The image of Bebeto cradling an imaginary baby became a defining moment of that tournament and remains one of the most replayed scenes in World Cup history.
He added, “Mattheus was the only one of my children whose birth I missed. I didn’t say a word to anyone about what I’d planned. It was a gift from God. I asked God to give me the chance to score a goal for my son. And that’s exactly what happened.”
The celebration later gained even more emotional weight for Bebeto when his son first saw it years later.
“Mattheus was about five years old when he first saw that celebration.
“We were arriving back in Brazil after a trip, and the goal was being shown on TV in the duty-free shop. He stood there watching it all unfold and smiled. That’s when I realised that he knew it was meant for him. It brought me to tears,” he recalled.
Now, Bebeto sees echoes of his own story in Endrick, the 19-year-old forward who rose through Palmeiras before joining Real Madrid and emerging as one of Brazil’s most exciting attacking prospects.
The youngster already has 15 international caps and three goals for Brazil, and is expected to play a key role under national team manager Carlo Ancelotti as Brazil chase a record sixth World Cup title.
“He’s a special talent. We met fairly recently in the United States – he came over to speak to me and I took the opportunity to offer him some advice. I’ll be cheering him on and willing him to give it his all, because he’s got real character and doesn’t let things get to him. Ancelotti recognises that Endrick will be absolutely vital too,” the Brazilian legend stated.
Endrick’s personal circumstances have also drawn comparisons with Bebeto’s 1994 experience, as the forward and his wife Gabriely Miranda prepare to welcome their first child later this year.
Bebeto also reflected on his son Mattheus, now a professional footballer with Tampa Bay Rowdies, noting how the celebration’s meaning deepened over time.
He concluded, “Mattheus was about five years old when he first saw that celebration, we were arriving back in Brazil after a trip, and the goal was being shown on TV in the duty-free shop. He stood there watching it all unfold and smiled. That’s when I realised that he knew it was meant for him. It brought me to tears.”
Brazil begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on June 14 against Morocco in Group C, before facing Haiti and Scotland, with expectations high that Endrick could help deliver a sixth world title—and perhaps a new iconic celebration for the ages.