SOCCER
Endrick’s Real Madrid presentation: 5 off-camera moments you might have missed
Endrick is finally a Madridista, and here’s how his presentation went at the Bernabéu.
It may not have had the aura of grandeur and the electric buzz that Kylian Mbappé generated a couple of weeks before, but Endrick’s presentation as a Real Madrid player certainly ended in a more emotional way than many expected in the run up.
Everyone saw the tears as the young Brazilian looked up at the stands of the overwhelmingly huge Estadio Santiago Bernabéu as it sang his name, but here are a few things that you may have missed, moments that the cameras didn’t pick up during the presentation.
1. Florentino Pérez holding Endrick’s hand after giving him tissues
As mentioned, the tears were flowing from the Brazilian forward as he mumbled through his welcome speech, and Papa Flo neatly dipped under the lectern to hand Endrick a tissue. However, just after the speeches were over and the official family photos were being snapped by the club media staff, Pérez’s paternal instincts rose to the surface again as he decided to grab Endrick’s hand (not like in the photo above, I mean take hold of his hand like a small child at a road crossing) and walk the boy through where he needed to be at every moment, long after the video cameras had stopped rolling in front of the 15 Champions Leagues.
2. Endrick almost breaking the glass of the executive suites
The customary ball-kicking into the stands causes fans of all ages to jump with glee after catching one from the new shiny toy at the Bernabéu. However, I think those fans who were sat behind the glass were a little less than overjoyed when more than one ball was sent flying into the window in front of their plush, air-conditioned suite. The thuds were audible from a distance and so was the laughter from all four sides of the ground. He uses his legs to that effect during the season and Endrick will be giving goalkeepers a tough time up and down the country.
3. His girlfriend singing with a pretend microphone
Gabriely Miranda was sat on the front row of the presentation at the Bernabéu, and had a prime viewing spot as she watched her boyfriend kiss the badge before getting up to give him a kiss of his own. However, before Endrick stepped out onto the pitch for the first time, Gabriely could be seen holding a pretend microphone as she sang her heart out to Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay. Unfortunately, AS couldn’t see her reaction to the five consecutive Taylor Swift songs that were played just before.
4. Pirri is one cool customer
The honorary President of Real Madrid paraded up and down the stadium like he had well earned his title. The former midfielder played 561 matches and scored 172 goals for the club, raking in 15 trophies. As such, it’s not hard to understand how he could be stood at the side of Florentino Pérez in front of a sold-out stadium, arms crossed and gaze fixed on the clouds, thinking about the less-than-satisfactory ending to Deadpool & Wolverine, all while Endrick fiddled with his fingers and peered down nervously at his shoelaces.
5. The loudest noise of the day
OK, in terms of Endrick, the loudest noise came when he kissed the badge, responding to the fan chants of, you guessed it, kiss the badge! However, before the Brazilian made an appearance, the rowdiest reaction from the Madridistas came as a video replay of all the Champions League-winning goals was put on the impressive 360º scoreboard. It was Dani Carvajal’s header in the most recent 2024 final that got the fans literally out of their seats, with Cristiano’s penalty in 2016 a close contender for top spot.
Now it’s time for Real Madrid to get their pre-season preparation underway. They travel to the USA on the 28th of July and will play a series of friendlies there.
They play AC Milan on July 31 at Solider Field Stadium in Chicago before taking on Barcelona, who will play against Carlo Ancelotti’s side on August 3 at MetLife Stadium in New York. Vini Jr and co. will conclude their pre-season tour of the States with a game against Chelsea on August 6. The game will take place at Bank of America Stadium, in Charlotte.