Real Madrid spent a significant chunk of change on Endrick, fully believing he would be the next global superstar to grace the Santiago Bernabéu. The blueprint was clear: replicate the massive success of the Vinicius Junior investment from nearly eight years ago (goodness, does time fly).

While Endrick showed flashes of absolute brilliance in his first season as a Madridista—arguably standing out as our best player in the Copa del Rey—he never really got a fair shake during the 2025/26 campaign. Under Xabi Alonso, the former Palmeiras phenom was bizarrely underutilized. Alonso’s misuse of the teenager was met with justifiable scorn by the Real Madrid front office back then, and looking at Endrick’s current form, it frankly looks like managerial malpractice.

It remains a mystery how Alonso, who previously worked wonders with a young and talented Bayer Leverkusen squad, failed to see the obvious, explosive talent right in front of him.

Flourishing in France

Now on loan at Lyon, Endrick is finally getting the regular minutes he deserves, and he is absolutely tearing up Ligue 1. He is scoring goals, exhibiting lethal explosion, driving ball progression, and creating chances at a rate that Real Madrid simply failed to harness last season.

He looks liberated, confident, and every bit the generational talent Juni Calafat promised us he was.

Dazzling for Brazil When They Need Him Most

Endrick’s resurgence isn’t just limited to club football; he is stepping up on the international stage right when his country needs him.

With the devastating news that Rodrygo Goes is out for the World Cup with a torn ACL (a massive blow for both Brazil and Madridistas), the Seleção has been begging for a star to emerge alongside Vinicius Junior. Endrick is answering the call, displaying the exact same signs of early stardom for Brazil that he is currently exhibiting in the French top flight.

Take the recent international friendly against Croatia. Sure, it was “just a friendly,” but nobody told the players on the pitch. Both sides treated it like a high-stakes knockout match, and Brazil emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Luka Modric and Co.—in no small part due to our loanee.

After Vinicius Jr. opened things up with a brilliant assist, Endrick truly broke the game wide open. Coming on as a substitute in the 76th minute, he was unplayable. He won a penalty and recorded an assist, proving to be the decisive factor in the victory. Croatia simply could not handle him. They resorted to openly body-checking him in the midfield just to stop him before he could accelerate. They tried to stifle the teenage sensation, and they failed miserably.

Looking Ahead to 2026/27

Let’s be honest: Real Madrid really could have benefited from having this left-footed genius in the first team this season.

But through his dominant performances for Lyon and his heroics for Brazil, Endrick is sending a deafening, undeniable message directly to new Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa and the front office: He is already one of the world’s most lethal game-breakers. Real Madrid will desperately need that exact spark in the 2026/27 season. It’s time to prepare the Bernabéu for his return.