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7 months ago
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Highs and lows. This is the summary that one could make of Endrick’s last campaign. Announced as the new nugget of Brazilian football, Endrick saw Real Madrid pounce on him. Recruited by Casa Blanca in exchange for 60 million euros (bonus included) when he was only 17 years old, the Palmeiras striker logically saw the media scrutinize him more and more closely. To the point of reaching exaggerated situations. Considered a nugget leaving for Real Madrid, Endrick was heavily criticized as soon as he went several matches without scoring. A heavy situation for the native of Brasilia who had not hidden his concern: “Sometimes I wonder why they put so much media on me? I didn’t ask for anything like that. There are situations that cross the line. ‘Ah, it’s the new Pelé’ but no one will be Pelé, he’s the king of football. You can’t ask people not to talk about my life. I have always said that I would like to have all the Brazilians near me, but I understand more and more that this is not possible and that there will always be people who will attack me.”he explained at the start of 2023.
Since then, water has flowed under the bridges. Endrick having concluded last season perfectly. Mute for many months, the young Brazilian scored six goals over the last eight days of the championship, making him the club’s second best in all competitions. And at the start of this new season, the future Real Madrid player must endure the disappointment of Brazil’s non-qualification for the Paris Olympic Games. Back from selection, he is determined to forget this trauma: “We will welcome him, do all the tests. One thing is what happens in the selection, another thing is what happens in the group. We have two players (Flaco and Rony), who play very well. Choices are always made. considering what is best for Palmeiras as a whole”, Brazilian coach Abel Ferreira declared last week. A status which must be quickly consolidated to (already) score points in the mind of Carlo Ancelotti because the upcoming arrival of Kylian Mbappé, as we revealed to you exclusively on January 7, could well bring a new pressure in the daily life of the young Brazilian over the coming months. All the spotlight will still be on the Palmeiras club.
No more room for error!
Vinicius, Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Joselu… Real Madrid’s offensive lines will be well stocked next season, while Endrick will officially set down his bags in Spain in July. Endrick’s last months at Palmeiras will be decisive. The time has come to send as many messages as possible to Europe. More than 8,000 kilometers from Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti observes every move of his young Brazilian nugget in order to better understand the degree to which Endrick’s integration into the professional group and European football will be – or not – difficult over this year. 2024. Especially if Abel Ferreira, the Palmeiras coach, does not confirm him in the starting eleven on a regular basis. Currently, Endrick’s position is occupied by Flaco López. The Argentinian was decisive during the 2024 season with four goals scored in six matches, making a possible move to the bench difficult. On the other hand, if Abel Ferreira does not want to change his attack, one of the team’s midfielders could lose his place (Aníbal Moreno, Zé Rafael and Richard Ríos), so that the Brazilian jewel can fit into his offensive line.
Another possibility. If Abel does not wish to change the attack and midfield, one of the three defenders could be removed to open another position on the offensive line, which would also result in a change of arrangement for the team, moving from the 3 -5-2 to sort of 4-3-3 with variations. But the coach has no worries for his player: “The psychological part has to speak to him. When you go to a competition where you have a lot of expectations… He is a mentally strong player. Brazilian football players are used to this, to being idols then decimated by the press”, further clarified the Portuguese coach. Against Corinthians, during the 9th day of the Paulista regional championship played last night, the young Brazilian striker was in any case more present than ever. Author of the opener in the 43rd minute, he saw his assist for Marcos Rocha finally canceled for an offside position. As a symbol, it was with the exit of Endrick in the 82nd minute for a muscle problem in the thigh that Palmeiras completely collapsed, coming back into the lead in the last ten minutes. A frustrating match (2-2) which nevertheless allowed Endrick to show all his maturity, his leadership and his importance for the Verdão.
