As Real Madrid, especially Carlo Ancelotti, look for solutions to keep the team performing over the coming months, Endrick, who has already fallen off the radar, may not find reasons to smile any time soon.
Several pressing issues are on the table at Real Madrid. Already struggling on the sporting front with a team that’s having difficulty finding the perfect balance to deliver solid performances, Carlo Ancelotti is forced to manage players frustrated with their situations. While The Athletic reports this Thursday that young Turk Arda Guler remains calm and patiently awaits his turn, the case of Endrick is quite different. Having arrived in Spain this summer after two successful seasons at Palmeiras, the young Brazilian international has not played a single minute with the Madrid side since 2 October.
Endrick has fallen off the radar
Indeed, after an explosive start with Real Madrid, where he scored against Real Valladolid (on 25 August) just after coming on, and then again against Stuttgart in the Champions League (on 17 September), Endrick has since seen his playing time dwindle. In a surprising start against Lille in France for the second round of the Champions League, the young native of Taguatinga (in Brazil) failed to live up to the high expectations surrounding him. Despite showing a lot of determination, the forward with a unique build could not prevent Real Madrid’s defeat.
Since that match, Carlo Ancelotti has not given the young player a single minute. In Real Madrid’s last three matches, Endrick has remained on the bench. Despite Kylian Mbappé struggling to fulfil the role of a true number 9 at the tip of the attack, the Madrid manager has not dared to grant Endrick a few minutes, even though he could have stood out, particularly during the team’s recent loss to Barça in El Clasico.
No playing time any time soon?
Given the team’s current challenging situation, the 18-year-old player might not see the pitch again soon. With Rodrygo Goes expected to return in the coming days, Endrick will find it difficult to secure playing time, as the team’s two leading forwards, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé, are not planning to relinquish any opportunities. Both stars of Real Madrid are in the race to capture prestigious individual awards and are likely to play all upcoming matches unless injured.
With the postponement of the twelfth round La Liga match against Valencia this weekend, Real Madrid returns to competition next Tuesday against AC Milan in the Champions League. In this crucial Champions League encounter, it seems unlikely that Endrick will get any minutes. Following that, there will be games against Osasuna and Leganés in La Liga. For these important matches, where Real cannot afford to drop points if they want to keep their title hopes alive, the Madrid staff are unlikely to take any risks.
In any case, Endrick will have to keep his fingers crossed for a change in circumstances. With a manager who does not particularly favour youth, the future looks uncertain for the 18-year-old Brazilian forward.
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