Real Madrid News
Real Madrid future star Endrick is a ‘huge talent’, claims Newcastle United midfielder
Real Madrid splashed the cash to sign Brazilian wonderkid Endrick in December last year, beating competition from a plethora of top clubs in Europe.
Even though he was just 16 at the time and had played only a handful of first-team games for Palmeiras, Real Madrid had no qualms about going big on the striker, even though they would have to wait until 2024 to bring him into the squad.
And, Endrick is slowly starting to show why Los Blancos went big on him. After a slow start to the season with Palmeiras, the 17-year-old forward has been in fine form in recent weeks.
It has led to Endrick earning his first-ever call-up to the Brazil national team for their upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
Endrick earns praise from Bruno Guimaraes
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Brazil’s game against Colombia, midfielder Bruno Guimaraes lavished praise on Endrick.
Speaking highly of the soon-to-be Real Madrid ace, the Newcastle United superstar said (h/t Mundo Deportivo):
“I think he (Endrick) is a huge talent that we are watching being born. He’s a great player. He’s a bit shy, but that’s normal. He knows some players and we are trying to get him to talk to us more.”
Talking about Endrick’s adaptation in the national team setup, Guimaraes added that the call-up will help him learn and exchange ideas with the senior players, before saying:
“He will feel at home here, everyone will welcome him.”
Endrick’s season so far…
Endrick made a slow start to the campaign for Palmeiras and found minutes hard to come by at times for the Brazilian outfit.
However, things have picked up for him in recent times, and heading into the international break, the teenage striker has a tally of 12 goals and an assist from 49 games in all competitions.
Real Madrid have great confidence in the youngster’s confidence and unlike some of the young talents in the past, Endrick will not be sent to Castilla when he arrives next year, but the 17-year-old will be drafted into the first-team plans right away.
Real Madrid are back in the Champions League following their impressive win against Cadiz on the weekend as they host Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu for gameweek five.
They have already secured qualification to the round of 16, and even a point today would secure first place in the group.
With several players still injured, Carlo Ancelotti has opted for his best available starting lineup, with Daniel Carvajal taking responsibility of the captain’s armband at right-back. He will be aided by Ferland Mendy, who starts on the other side.
Meanwhile, in between them, David Alaba returns to the fold as the starting centre-back, partnering Antonio Rudiger. This duo has the responsibility of screening Andriy Lunin, who continues in goal in Kepa and Thibaut Courtois’ absence.
With both Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni out, Toni Kroos gets the chance to play as the holding midfielder for two games in a row. Federico Valverde retains his spot, as well, while Dani Ceballos comes in for the injured Luka Modric in central midfield.
Rodrygo will spearhead the team’s frontline as one of the two twin forwards, while Brahim Diaz gets the nod over Joselu. Jude Bellingham is the final, and arguably the most important piece of the puzzle, playing behind the front-two.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 29, 2023
🆚 @en_sscnapoli #UCL pic.twitter.com/MarLb7TavA
Confirmed Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Ceballos; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo
