Endrick, the young Brazilian forward set to join Real Madrid in July 2024, has recently become a topic of concern within the club. Both on and off the field, there are reasons for apprehension. On one hand, the bone-chilling tackle he suffered in the Clásico against Corinthians, along with subsequent rough challenges, raises the need to protect the teenager. On the other hand, his limited playing time, which some attribute to technical decisions made by Palmeiras’ coach, Abel Ferreira, has caught the attention of Madrid’s management.
The incident during the Corinthians match has particularly alarmed observers. Despite his brief appearance, Endrick managed to make a significant impact on the game. However, his entrance into the field in the 85th minute was met with a reckless tackle from Maycon, who aimed directly at his knee without any intention of contesting the ball. After initially receiving only a yellow card, the referee, Anderson Daronco, reviewed the incident with the help of VAR and subsequently sent off the Corinthians player. Endrick himself shared a clip of the tackle with a caption expressing gratitude to God for his protection. Prominent Brazilian players such as Denilson and José Ferreira Neto criticized the excessive violence displayed by Maycon, with Neto even going as far as suggesting that the tackle could have ended Endrick’s career.
Beyond the on-field incident, there is also concern at Valdebebas, Real Madrid’s training facility, regarding the limited playing time that Endrick has been afforded under Abel Ferreira. Since the Portuguese coach took charge, Endrick has started in only four out of 22 matches in the Brazilian Championship. In six matches, he came on as a substitute, while in the remaining 12, he was always introduced from the bench. Furthermore, he has never completed a full match, though he has managed to score four goals. It has been a month since his last start, and he even received a red card in the Copa Libertadores without having played a single minute. Real Madrid is closely monitoring the situation, acknowledging that these are technical decisions over which they have no control. Nevertheless, they are concerned about the lack of game time for the player thus far.
Looking ahead to the upcoming summer, it is likely that Endrick will join the first team for preseason training, following a similar path taken by Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. However, it is probable that he will initially be integrated into Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve team, to adapt to Spanish football and gradually earn his place in the different squad lists for league, Champions League, and domestic cup fixtures. Despite the appearance of relative calm, Madrid remains vigilant, keeping a close eye on Endrick’s progress. After all, they invested a significant amount, paying €35 million upfront and an additional €25 million in variables, making it imperative for the club to closely follow the development of this Brazilian prodigy.
As Madrid continues to monitor Endrick’s journey, it is evident that his talent and potential have caught the attention of the football world. With his arrival at the Bernabeu just around the corner, fans and pundits alike eagerly anticipate witnessing the rise of yet another promising young talent in the famous white shirt. The combination of Endrick’s skill, determination, and the nurturing environment provided by Real Madrid could prove to be the perfect recipe for success.
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