Endrick could not have got off to a better start on his Real Madrid debut in August.
The 18-year-old Brazilian striker came on with four minutes left of Madrid’s La Liga match against Real Valladolid — and crashed home his first goal for the club in a 3-0 win to eclipse Kylian Mbappe’s first Madrid appearance at the Bernabeu.
Three weeks later, history repeated itself in the 3-0 win against Stuttgart in the Champions League. Endrick came on in the 80th minute, spearheaded a counter-attack and, instead of passing to Mbappe or Vinicius Junior, produced a long-range effort that took goalkeeper Alexander Nubel completely by surprise.
Endrick in the Champions League 🇧🇷💫#UCL pic.twitter.com/APBqFBtsS2
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 18, 2024
“He is able to do something that nobody can think of,” coach Carlo Ancelotti said after that goal. “He has this gift that is very effective. He has it not only in the few minutes he has played, but also in training. In these days, he has shown himself to be very brave in every way.”
“Bobby (Endrick’s nickname in the dressing room — more on that later) has a personality,” Antonio Rudiger told reporters in the Bernabeu mixed zone. “Thank God it went well, because I think if not… Oh, big problem.”
Endrick became the youngest player to start a Champions League game for Madrid in their next match in the competition against Lille in October — but they lost 1-0 in France and things began to change.
He has not started since then and was not called up for Brazil during the November international break. He has played 71 minutes in La Liga across 11 appearances.
Some within the club — and plenty of fans — want to see him play more. So, why is Endrick not featuring after waiting so long for his dream move?
Endrick’s signing from Palmeiras for an initial €35million (£30m; $38m) deal, with €25m in variables was announced in December 2022, but under FIFA regulations he was unable to join up with the squad until he turned 18 in July.
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The first time Ancelotti’s coaching staff saw Endrick play live was in a friendly match in March between Spain and Brazil, organised to show support for Vinicius Jr after racist abuse he suffered in stadiums across the country. With Spain leading 2-1, Endrick came on at half-time for his first appearance at the Bernabeu and produced a fine volley to give a glimpse of his personality to his future coaches.
In July, he was back at the iconic ground for his presentation in front of more than 60,000 fans, an unprecedented attendance for such a young player. The then-17-year-old burst into tears as he said, “I didn’t want to cry, but I’ve loved Real Madrid since I was a child and it has come from my soul”.
Endrick fights back the tears at his presentation (Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Endrick became one of the main attractions on Madrid’s pre-season tour of the United States in the absence of other big names such as Jude Bellingham and Mbappe, who joined pre-season later than other players due to their nations going deep at the European Championship.
During training sessions in Chicago, Endrick stood out for his strength, goalscoring ability and cheek. A senior executive present called him a “phenomenon” and the 5ft 8in Endrick was happy battling with the 6ft 3in Rudiger — Ancelotti called it a “welcome” from the German when he put in several strong challenges on the Brazilian.
Endrick was the only Brazilian on the tour at first after choosing to join up with the squad earlier than his team-mates who had also taken part in the Copa America. But he adapted well to the dressing room and made good friends with another youngster, Arda Guler.
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Some team-mates affectionately call him “Bobby” because of an interview in which he said one of his five favourite players was the late Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
Charlton retired from playing 33 years before Endrick was born, but a person close to the Brazilian told The Athletic he found out about him after using the Englishman’s ‘icon’ card in the EA Sports FC video game. Endrick’s father Douglas, a big Real Madrid fan, wanted to name his son after a different legend of the game — and a former Madrid player — Alfredo Di Stefano.
A Madrid fan wears a Bobby Charlton shirt with Endrick’s number on it for the match against Liverpool (Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
After so much expectation, it has not been an easy few months for Endrick. Only backup defender Jesus Vallejo has played fewer than the Brazilian’s 149 minutes across 14 games.
Since the defeat at Lille, he has only played more than 15 minutes in a game in September’s win against Alaves — where he could have been sent off for an off-the-ball kick on defender Santiago Mourino. His brief cameos lifted the Bernabeu at the start of the season, but that is all they have been.
Endrick was also subjected to racist abuse on social media following Madrid’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool last month. Real Madrid, Meta and Endrick’s camp were contacted for comment. A person close to the player told The Athletic nobody had commented on this to them.
A source at the club’s Valdebebas training ground — who like other Madrid staff The Athletic spoke to for this piece asked to remain anonymous to protect their position — believes Endrick is training well but has yet to fully learn his tactical responsibilities. “He is in the process,” that person added, while acknowledging the difficulty of competing with Vinicius Jr and Mbappe up front. They said Ancelotti relies on 13-14 players as first-team regulars.
Those close to the player are convinced his time will come. But they said they were a little surprised Endrick had not been given more playing time in less risky games such as against Getafe earlier this month. They think Ancelotti calling on Endrick will depend on what each game demands. Even Vinicius Jr’s recent hamstring injury did not grant Endrick more playing time.
Ancelotti’s 4-4-2 system does not open up many possibilities for the forwards, with even Rodrygo finding it hard to force his way into the starting line-up. But Valdebebas sources say Endrick trains with plenty of commitment. He works out of Valdebebas with his physical trainer Vinicius Nevado, who he brought with him from Brazil along with his family.
Endrick celebrates against Stuttgart — but his opportunities have been few and far between (Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images)
While he has rarely featured, he is one of four players who have yet to be injured this season along with Rudiger, Fran Garcia and Luka Modric. He is strong for his age — he only turned 18 in July — and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Brahim Diaz highlighted his impressive build on the U.S. tour.
Club executives continue to put their faith in Endrick’s potential. They have acknowledged in recent meetings with him with Endrick that Ancelotti does not often play youngsters. Guler, 19, has also struggled for opportunities this season.
Before Madrid’s 3-2 Champions League win against Atalanta, Ancelotti was asked whether he felt under pressure to give Endrick and Guler more playing time and whether Endrick could leave in January.
“Endrick stays here, like Guler,” the Italian said. “Maybe they need more minutes but I’m not prejudiced against anyone. I try to put the best players in every game, even if they are 18 or 40.
“We have to be patient. The youngsters bring enthusiasm but, because they are young, things will come and they will come with time.”
Ancelotti was asked about Endrick again in Friday’s press conference after he did not play against Atalanta.
“It’s not a criticism of him, because he’s working very well, he’s very focused,” he said. “He is very young, he comes to Real Madrid and he has the best in the world in his position so we have to be patient with him.
“He’s not asking for anything. He’s focused, he’s working, he’s fine, he’s happy. Obviously he wants to play more. He has to continue his learning process without changing anything.”
Some of Endrick’s family members were present in Bergamo in the hope he would get on to the pitch. But he will have to bide his time at Madrid — where his camp says he feels at home and has no regrets about leaving Brazil.
(Top photo: Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images)
