Endrick’s Real Madrid story takes yet another wrong turn

Endrick is sweeping and swerving through yet more sharp bends at Real Madrid, and is experiencing a situation far removed from his early days of unicorns and rainbows. The opportunities—and at times, the lack thereof, have gradually dulled a brilliance that once dazzled.

He made plenty of early memories: scoring on debuts in LaLiga (against Valladolid) and the Champions League (against Stuttgart). Breaking records of precocity became something he did in his sleep, the recipe that turned him into a global sensation.

Then came Lille: his first start, which also became his last in a while. That match marked the beginning of a slump. He returned to action against Osasuna, playing the final 15 minutes of an already decided game. In the last six matches, he has only played a quarter of an hour, after going entirely unused in the previous five.

‘Why did so many media outlets put the spotlight on me? '

But despite his youth, Endrick is no stranger to adversity and he knows how to keep going under pressure. At such a young age, such a setback is easily able to be seen a chance to start afresh.

Such ups and downs, despite his age, are not unfamiliar territory for him. At Palmeiras, he overcame a rough patch when he went 12 games without scoring, an unusual drought for someone whose talent lies in finding the net.

At just 16, he had already won his first title, and under Abel Ferreira’s guidance in his first full season as a professional, he found redemption. A goal in the Paulistão final against Água Santa lifted the weight off his shoulders and brought him back to form. The slump had been severe - he was even seen crying on the bench - but he bounced back with mental resilience and maturity. These qualities, say those close to him, define Endrick as much as his skill on the pitch.

“No one needs to pity me or pat me on the head,” Endrick said in an interview with GQ Brazil. “Sometimes I wonder: why did so many media outlets put the spotlight on me? I never asked for this. Some things go too far. ‘Oh, he’s the new Pelé.’ Come on, no one is going to be Pelé, he’s the king of football. But there’s nothing I can do; I can’t stop people from talking about my life. There will always be critics.”

Endrick ‘is doing very well and showing great potential'

Since joining Real Madrid, the spotlight has only intensified. Endrick is aware of the fierce competition he faces from players like Mbappé, Vinícius, Rodrygo, Brahim, and Güler. Despite limited minutes on the pitch (10 games and just 122 minutes, with only Vallejo and Ceballos seeing less), he remains motivated rather than frustrated.

Ancelotti has expressed satisfaction with Endrick’s training performances, noting his quality and readiness. “He’s doing very well and showing great potential. The same goes for Güler—they are young players pushing hard,” Ancelotti said. However, the coach emphasised the priority is the team’s progress, not simply distributing minutes: “There will be no gifts, only merit.”

This situation has affected Endrick’s standing with Brazil. In the latest squad announcement, Dorival Júnior excluded him from the squad, even after Rodrygo’s injury. Instead, Martinelli was called up. For the first time since his debut, Endrick will watch Brazil’s matches on television. After making his national team debut last November, he scored in his third, fourth, and fifth appearances, netting goals against England, Spain, and Mexico. His strike at Wembley even earned him the nickname “Bobby” in homage to his admiration for Bobby Charlton. Expectations soared once again.

Although he hasn’t scored since, Endrick, now 18, boasts three goals in 13 international appearances. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) sees this current situation as part of a natural process, linked heavily to his reduced minutes at Madrid. Endrick remains focused on regaining the form that saw him shine at the start of the season, and a potential resurgence that would likely win back his place in the national team.

For now, his immediate focus is on training at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas centre during the international break. From the defeat against Osasuna to the upcoming clash with Butarque, he has two weeks to reset and prepare for whatever challenges lie ahead.