Endrick: How good is he already?
Real Madrid is, have been, and always will be the biggest club in the world. We are the most successful club, the most glamorous club, and, the most well-run club, ever. One of the biggest factors behind Real Madrid’s continued success over the decades has been the club’s ability to stay one step ahead of everyone else, and change their methods to set them up for the future. In Florentino Perez’s first stint, the club did so by signing the best and most marketable players in the world to turn the club into a global brand that generated money like no other. This continued on to his second stint, but instead of simply signing the biggest names, the club looked at more factors, such as fit, and more importantly, mentality. 6/7 years later, when state-sponsored clubs became the norm and Real Madrid could not outbid everyone else, the club changed their ways again. Moving on from the Galacticos policy, the club turned their focus on signing the most prodigal talents in the world, and developing them into stars. The club has done this with the likes of Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo, Fede Valverde, Camavinga, amongst others. Apart from Fede, all of the aforementioned players were touted as potential world beaters even before they played for Madrid. Yet, despite continually signing such talents, the most hyped youngster is yet to come. Endrick, whose performances for Palmeiras, and now the Brazil National team, have sparked comparisons with the likes of Ronaldo Nazario and even Pele at that age, will finally arrive this summer.
Signed for €35m fixed plus a potential €25m in variables, Endrick’s price was seen as obscene for a 16-year-old. Yet, after the massive success’ Vinícius and Rodrygo turned out to be, the price tag was seen as potentially being justifiable in the future. However, once people actually watched Endrick play regularly, the conversation changed. Instead of the price being seen as potentially justifiable, it turned into the price being seen as almost a steal. A 16/17-year-old playing for Palmeiras in the Brazilian first division, and then winning the title, and helping them win the title with 11 goals in the campaign, Endrick has given the world a glimpse into how good he already is. In his first ever game at Wembley, his first game for the Brazil National team, he scored. A few days later, Endrick took to the pitch at the Bernabeu against Spain, and he scored yet again. Endrick had announced himself to the world.
Watching his performances for Palmeiras, and then Brazil, it becomes clear that Endrick is not your usual prospect. Before they came to Madrid, both Vinícius and Rodrygo looked like some of the most exciting prospects in recent memory, yet their performances also made it clear that they had clear weaknesses that would need working on. What’s scary about Endrick is that he already looks like a polished player. His game seems like one of a 25/26-year-old player who already has a number of world-class seasons under his belt. Everyone knows how much and how long Vinícius struggled with his finishing issues. For the first 3 seasons he was at Madrid, Viní was a subpar finisher. It took 3 seasons of working under the best trainers in the world and playing with the best players in world to polish up that side of his game. It also took him, and Rodrygo around 2 years to put up the necessary muscle needed to play at the highest level of European football. It also took both of them 2/3 seasons to really polish their decision making as well. Their choice of pass, whether to dribble or not, positioning, all took polishing, and only now do they seem like mature players on the verge of entering their prime.
Endrick, on the other hand, seems to already be there. Endrick’s ball striking is already arguably the best we’ve seen of any player of his age group, ever. His finishing right now can be seen as the equal of many great strikers in Europe. Outside the box, off balance, tight angles, Endrick can and has scored all types of goals, with finishing ability far beyond his years. The venom and accuracy with which he shoots evokes memories of Adriano. His physical traits are unbelievable for a player of that age. Despite standing only at 5’6”, Endrick’s stocky build combined with his unbelievable explosiveness make him a physical monster in duels. Watch any compilation of Endrick, and there will be multiple clips of him making grown men look like children. He shrugs off shoulder barges like nothing, if players try to pull him, he simply outmuscles them and escapes, in 50-50 duels, Endrick can and has beaten players far bigger and older than him. When you watch him beat opponents with incredible skill, and then hold them off with his strength, you can’t help but be reminded of Ronaldo Nazario. When he comes to Madrid, gaining the necessary muscle will not be an issue, since he already has the required build. In terms of decision making and pass technique, the story is the same. His choice of pass, his intelligence to make runs into the box, his varied passing and crossing technique, all seem far beyond his years. Everything that a young player is almost always weak at, Endrick excels at already.
All of this only reassures what we already know; Endrick is a special talent. A talent who might be the most special talent to get on the scene since Mbappé. While he may only be 18 when he comes, his game might already be suited and ready to make an immediate impact for the greatest club in the world. His potential is off the charts, but what he can produce right now is a scary thought in itself. It is important to temper our expectations and let him grow into his role, but even in a lesser role, the impact Endrick could provide could, and hopefully will, exceed all of our expectations for him.
