Endrick’s cryptic message, a possible goodbye to Palmeiras

Endrick’s suspected muscle tear injury which he sustained in Wednesday night’s Copa Libertadores clash against Independiente de Valle has hit Palmeiras hard. The young forward, who is in the final stretch of his career in Brazil before heading to Real Madrid, has uploaded a ‘story’ to his Instagram account that could be interpreted as a farewell to the club.

Could Endrick miss the Copa América?

“Palmeiras I love you, thank you for everything,” the player wrote referring to his current team. Endrick will be able to move to Europe and complete his move to Real Madrid once he comes of age (he will turn 18 on 21 July). The teenager, who left the game on a stretcher, will undergo tests in the next few days to determine the extent of his injury. For now, there is concern that he could be ruled out of the Copa América which is little over a month away. Endrick features in Dorival Júnior’s 223-man squad for the tournament, which kicks off on 20 June in the United States with Brazil getting their campaign underway against Costa Rica on 25 June.

This latest setback, together with the fact that the Brasileirão has been postponed due to the floods in Río Grande do Sul, marks an end to a stage that has brought great achievements for the Verdão No.9 in spite of his tender age.

Endrick had five games left to play with Palmeiras before it was decided to put the Brazilian championship on hold. The Brazil international would have played his last games for the club against: Criciúma, Botagofo RP, Vasco da Gama, San Lorenzo and Atlético Mineiro (June 2). The team sits ninth in the Série A table with eight points from six games while in a commanding position in the Copa Libertadores, top of Group F on 13 points, and already through to the next round with one game left to play. Abel Ferreira’s team will find out which rival they will face in the round of 16 after the draw on 3 June.

Endrick became the youngest player to player for Palmeiras in club history coming on as a second half sub in the 4-0 victory over Coritiba in October 2022. Since then he has played a total of 80 games with the first team even though he has not yet celebrated his 18th birthday. He has contributed 21 goals and four assists - figures and performances which has earned him a call-up for Brazil’s senior side.

He made his senior debut in November 2023, playing eight minutes of the 2-1 defeat to Colombia. He has made four appearances for the national team, including recent friendlies which saw him find the net at Wembley (against England) and at the Santiago Bernabéu - which will very soon become his new home.