Endrick suffers yet another setback
The striker was not called up to Brazil, despite having excelled in the few opportunities he has had with Real Madrid.
Once again, Endrick has been left out of the Brazilian national team, despite his promising performances. The 18-year-old striker was omitted from a squad that included the return of Neymar—a surprising decision considering his recent form.
The Real Madrid youngster has been making the most of his limited minutes, proving his goal-scoring ability despite fierce competition. He has netted six goals in just 534 minutes, averaging a goal every 89 minutes. However, those numbers were not enough to convince Brazil manager Dorival Júnior, who has faced heavy criticism for selecting Matheus Cunha (Wolves) and João Pedro (Brighton) over the former Palmeiras prodigy.
A challenging first year at Real Madrid
Endrick’s debut season with Real Madrid has not been easy. He is adapting to a different role than the one he played in the Brasileirão, often coming on in the final moments of matches. Competing for minutes with stars like Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo, and Vinícius Júnior has made playing time scarce. Yet, whenever given the opportunity, he has impressed Carlo Ancelotti.
Vamos Brasil!🇧🇷📍 pic.twitter.com/rPkJrHqIBh
— Endrick (@Endrick) July 4, 2024
He scored on his La Liga debut for Real Madrid, finding the net against Valladolid (3-0) within just 11 minutes on the pitch. He repeated the feat in his Champions League debut against Stuttgart (3-1), becoming the club’s youngest scorer in the competition at 18 years and 58 days.
His first standout performance at the Santiago Bernabéu came in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 against Celta de Vigo, where he scored twice in extra time to secure a quarterfinal spot. After the match, he displayed remarkable maturity in his post-game interview:
“I didn’t expect to play more minutes. Ancelotti knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t make decisions based on what’s best for me, but what’s best for the team. If the team needs Kylian, Vini, or Rodrygo, they’ll play. If it’s Arda Güler, he’ll play. If it’s me, I’ll be ready.”
His performance earned him a starting spot in the Copa del Rey match against Leganés, where he scored in Madrid’s dramatic 3-2 victory. He delivered again in the semifinals against Real Sociedad, scoring the only goal in a hard-fought 1-0 first-leg win at the Reale Arena.
With two goals in three starts, Endrick has gradually won Ancelotti’s trust, becoming a key option off the bench. He has featured in five consecutive matches, including high-stakes encounters against Manchester City and Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
Backlash over Dorival Júnior’s decision
Many expected Endrick to be included in Brazil’s squad for the upcoming South American qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia, both Copa América 2024 finalists. However, Dorival Júnior opted for Cunha, who is enjoying an impressive season with Wolverhampton (15 goals and four assists), and João Pedro from Brighton.
His lack of consistent game time at Real Madrid cannot justify his exclusion. He was previously called up in September and October despite having played even fewer minutes and delivering a weaker performance. However, he was dropped in November, and now he faces yet another disappointment.
For Endrick, the fight to earn his place in the national team continues. He will have to keep proving himself and hope that, come the next international break, Dorival Júnior will no longer be able to overlook his talent.
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