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Why Endrick is staying at Real Madrid: Brazil international spurns European interest to fight for place originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Real Madrid have increased their attacking profile significantly this offseason, spending big on adding front-line talent.
Los Blancos have gone two straight seasons without a single major trophy, something that prompted not only a huge summer squad overhaul, but also a change in manager as Jose Mourinho sensationally re-joined the club.
Despite the chopping and changing of the squad this summer, one player remains as Endrick will stick around and try to fight for his place. While many have questioned the club's motivation in keeping the 20-year-old around instead of getting him developmental minutes elsewhere in Europe, there is an argument to be made for his presence in the Spanish capital.
The Sporting News breaks down why Endrick will remain at the Bernabeu, at least for now, and how Real Madrid could have a future superstar on their hands.
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Endrick staying at Real Madrid until January
Despite reports of interest from across Europe, 20-year-old Real Madrid forward Endrick will be staying at the Bernabeu for at least the first half of the 2026/27 season.
According to a report by Mario Cortegana of The Athletic on August 10, Real Madrid will retain Endrick for now, set to review his situation in January, similar to last season when he joined French club Lyon for the latter half of the 2025/26 campaign.
Why is Endrick staying at Real Madrid?
Opportunities for Endrick at Real Madrid appear, on the surface, to be thin. After playing just 11 minutes of La Liga action last season, the Brazilian forward was loaned out to Lyon, where he was impressive in the French top flight.
But the situation he returns to at the Bernabeu is only more congested than when he departed. With Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. still entrenched along the front line, Real Madrid spent big on 19-year-old superstar Yan Diomande, constructing a formidable attacking trio that will be exceedingly difficult for Endrick to find space in.
Additionally, the club also brought in striker Carlos Espi to contest for minutes behind Mbappe up front, and midfielder Bernardo Silva, who can play on the wing in a pinch.
Despite all this, Cortegana's report claims that Jose Mourinho sees room in the attack for Endrick. He reportedly does not see Silva or Federico Valverde as wing options, and it would appear, at least for now, that Endrick is ahead of Espi for the backup striker position.
Additionally, according to a report by ESPN, Endrick's first child is due to be born in October, a "major factor" in his decision to remain in Madrid for the first half of the campaign.
How good is Endrick?
While Endrick has not yet had a breakout season in Europe, either with Real Madrid or on loan, there are many in the game who believe the young Brazilian is a superstar in the making.
For a player who does not immediately jump off the page statistically, there is reason to believe that Endrick has an extremely high ceiling. As Kim McCauley of The Transfer Flow points out, Endrick is an elite shot-getter, both for himself and for his teammates.
A natural central striker, Endrick fit seamlessly into Lyon's formation on the right wing, changing clubs and positions simultaneously like it was nothing. His five goals and seven assists across half a season in a weak Ligue 1 may not be immediately eye-popping, but he can do just about everything from an attacking perspective: create chances, get shots, dribble and find spaces in the penalty area.
If he doesn't find the right developmental environment, which is certainly possible with staying at Real Madrid, he could easily fizzle out. But there are plenty of signs that Endrick has the ceiling and profile of someone like Mohamed Salah.
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