Endrick, the rapidly flourishing sensation in Brazilian football, opened up about his journey and the imminent leap to Real Madrid next summer, propelled by his breakthrough at Palmeiras, a two-time Brasileirao champion.
Conversing with The Guardian at his residence in Sao Paulo, the 17-year-old forward revealed a near miss with Chelsea at 16.
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His father, Douglas, recounted the detailed plans the London club presented,
“They explained everything to us. They introduced us to the person who would help us settle in. He showed us the house we would live in, the school Endrick would go to, and the church we would attend. Everything was fine between us and Chelsea”
All that was in place only to witness the deal unravel when Chelsea’s owner withdrew, citing a hefty 60 million euros for a 16-year-old prospect. Endrick’s father explains thus,
“I can’t say it 100% because I hadn’t signed, but an agreement was reached. I had already gotten it into my head that I would live in London with all that cold weather. But then, at night, my son’s manager…called and told me that the owner of Chelsea had withdrawn from the deal because the price they would have to pay for Endrick would inflate the market. It was 60 million euros for a 16-year-old boy who would arrive almost two years later”
Having weathered criticism earlier in 2023, Endrick, evolving swiftly, now dismisses negativity even when at the beginning, it bothered him.
“I tried to counter the criticism and show who I am. But then I understood that I didn’t need to prove it, I didn’t need to prove the opposite. I’m Endrick. If they want to insult me I won’t see it. Yes, it’s difficult, but… I don’t care anymore. Criticism no longer hurts me,”
Joining Madrid in July 2024, he acknowledges the brotherliness from Madrid’s players but remains grounded, embracing each day and entrusting the future to a higher power.
Endrick aspires to bring joy to Brazilians through the national team. Delving into the issue of racism, he stands shoulder to shoulder with players like Vinicius and Rodrygo, bearing in mind the unfortunate reality that racists often go unpunished since childhood.
