REAL MADRID
Is Endrick ready for Real Madrid?
Endrick has scored six goals in his last eight games and helped Palmeiras win the league title in Brazil.
Paulo Henrique Xavier is Juni Calafat’s man in Brazil, the latter being Madrid’s Chief Scout and José Ángel Sánchez’s right-hand man. Endrick (17), as with Vinícius, Rodrygo and Eduardo Camavinga, has been a personal bet of Calafat and Paulo Henrique has been in charge of monitoring his performances in Brazil since he signed with the club for €35 million ($38m) plus a possible €25 million ($27m) in add-ons.
At this point and according to sources close to Endrick, Madrid are fully confident in the player for next season. “He is ready”, is the message they are sending to the Spanish giants from Brazil and he is expected to have a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad as well as being offered game time in 2024-25.
Endrick wins Brazilian title
Earlier this week, Endrick made history once again. He scored on the final day of Brazil’s league season and lifted the title, his second despite his young age. His participation in the final stretch of the season has been decisive: he has scored eight goals in the last six games. In total, he netted 11 in the league, one more than the 10 that Neymar scored at the age of 17 for Santos in 2009 and just one short of the record (12) at that age that Ronaldo Nazario scored for Cruzeiro before moving to Europe.
Trip to Madrid
Endrick will now have a well-deserved rest and will take advantage of it to visit Madrid (he will be in attendance against Villarreal) to see the house in which he will live in Spain from June with his family. By then, he will be 18, the age required by FIFA for the transfer to become effective.
Brazil debut
Madrid are aware that Endrick will be more mature and experienced than when he was initially signed by the club. Although this season has not been easy for him, the Libertadores semi-final against Boca Juniors was a turning point and he has finished the season in style. He has a total of 14 goals and two assists in 53 games, although he has not made more than 20 starts.
The young forward is also likely to be part of the Brazil squad for the Copa América in the summer of 2024. His debut against Colombia recently was a resounding one. At the age of 17 years and 118 days, he became the fourth youngest player to make his debut for Brazil after Pelé, Edu and Coutinho.
“We are delighted with him, we notice that his progression is very fast. I’m delighted to have him for next season,” said Ancelotti when asked about the talented teen, who will arrive having won two Brazilian league titles and a Super Cup, and with the confidence that Madrid have shown in him in recent days after a spectacular end to the year.