Just at random – Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Neymar, Robinho. All the gentlemen were, or are, fantastic footballers. It’s hard to argue about that. But Endrick could perhaps give each of them a lesson on how football should actually be approached. Although he is not yet of legal age.
Night clubs and parties, frequent vices of South Americans operating in Europe? “I hate them, I’d rather go to a restaurant with my family. I don’t want to become part of any controversies. I don’t plan on doing anything that could harm me. I am fully focused on my sporting future,” the youngster declared some time ago.
Occasional training misses, another sore spot for several talented Brazilians? Don’t go at Endrick with that either. He considers the most professional professional, Cristiano Ronaldo, to be his role model. “He made me realize that hard work is more than talent,” the super-talent confided in a letter published by the Players’ Tribune.
But rather than the legendary Portuguese, the letter was addressed to Endrick’s four-year-old brother. “You came into the world when I scored a goal in a tournament as a thirteen-year-old and a family friend called my dad. I didn’t have money for a toy for you, so I at least brought you a prize for the best player,” Endrick said.
Yes, you guessed right. The young Brazilian and devout Christian is also a family type. He comes from a poor background and spent his free time in his childhood on the street, listening to anything round.
But far more important is how he now kicks the most high-end balloons.
He’s doing damn well.
He made his debut for the A-team of Palmeiras in October 2022, when he was sixteen. By the end of the year, he had time to finalize his transfer to Europe. Real Madrid, who offered 45 million euros (about 1.1 billion crowns) for Endrick, won out of a large number of interested parties. The rules of the White Ballet did not allow the youngster to bring in reinforcements until her eighteenth birthday, so she remained in Palmeiras. He can transfer until July 21, 2024.
So what can fans of the big Madrid club look forward to?
Endrick is decorated with dynamism, a sharp finish with his left foot and the ability to outplay his keeper in a one-on-one matchup. And a flair for goals. After all, in the current season of the Brazilian top flight, he already netted twelve of them.
He added two more at the last meeting of the national team. One at Wembley against England, which was his debut for the national team. Next up against Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu. The stadium, which will be his new home from the summer.
“Before the match, I dreamed that I could hit here,” Endrick confessed.
“We’re waiting for you here,” Real president Florentino Pérez told him after the match.
In less than four months, he will see it. The young Brazilian will not have an easy task in the Spanish capital. Getting into the lineup through Vinícius, Rodrygo or another reinforcement Kylian Mbappé would cause problems for almost everyone.
So he will most likely collect starts as a joker. Similar to during the last reprepause, when he scored twice after coming off the bench.
How bright can his future be? “If he can keep up his attitude, he will become a legend of Brazilian football,” national team coach Dorival Júnior is clear.
Strong words. But so that there are not too many positives. You will surely remember how many similar comets have already gone out…
Tags: NonBrazilian mentality dynamite lefthander Real Madrid prodigy teenager
