Who is Real Madrid Wonderkid Endrick

Endrick broke into the mainstream news during the 2024 March international break, as he scored his first international goal for Brazil. His strike late on in the second half secured victory for the South American side in an uneventful match, but the biggest story was about the teenage sensation.

Many consider Endrick to be Brazil’s next superstar, capable of matching the legendary statuses of Pele, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. For some, that would be immense pressure that they would likely fall victim to, but the youngster is taking everything in his stride. Having turned 18 in July 2024, the teenager finally completed his move to La Liga giants Real Madrid, and was at the centre of a mass public celebration of his arrival.

Given that the exciting forward is only going to become more prevalent in European football in the coming years, this article details everything you need to know about him, taking in his club career, height, style of play and contract information.

Club Career

To begin, Endrick made his senior debut for Palmeiras in October 2022, two months after his 16th birthday. He became the youngest player to ever feature for Palmeiras’ first team. That immediately brought pressure as the country noticed an up-and-coming striker on the centre stage. Yet he took that in his stride — and, by the end of that year, he had won a Brazilian championship medal.

But it wasn’t the case that Endrick did very little to help out, as he scored his first two goals before the end of the season in a 3-1 win over Athletico Paranaense. In doing so, he became the second-youngest goalscorer in the history of Brazil’s Serie A. With several goals and a championship medal, he was named the country’s most exciting player in the league, creating a status that very few have ever had.

Throughout his time with one of Brazil’s biggest clubs, Endrick scored 20 goals in 75 appearances, leading from the front and scoring some fine goals. The wonderkid then finally completed his long-awaited move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 after he turned 18, meaning that he will partner with national teammates Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. The prospect of those three in the final third, with Jude Bellingham behind them, is frightening to say the least.

International Career

Endrick has been at the heart of Brazilian football for some time. He may have only made his senior debut in November 2023, but he featured regularly in the country’s youth teams beforehand. In March 2022, he was called up to the U20 side for the first team as a 15-year-old to compete in the Montaigu Tournament. The superstar set the world alight with five goals in four matches, which saw him finish as top scorer and the best player in the tournament.

Since then, he has also featured for Brazil’s U23, scoring five goals in four appearances. He was part of the squad for Olympic qualification, even scoring during a 1-0 win against Bolivia, however, it was not enough to help his country reach the Olympics in Paris for the first time since 2004.

Yet all his work with the youth teams was made redundant when he featured for the senior team for the first time in November 2023. On his debut against Colombia, he became the fourth all-time youngest player, and youngest in 57 years, to make his debut for Brazil. Just four months later, he scored his first goal for Brazil during a friendly against England, writing himself into the record books as the fourth-youngest player to score for the South American nation.

Post-match against England, Brazil manager Dorival Junior was unsurprisingly full of praise for Endrick, knowing he has the potential to be one of the country’s greatest players of all time: “If he keeps up the attitude he has shown up to now, he will be a very important name in Brazilian football and world football.”

Since netting his first goal in senior Brazil colours, Endrick has added strikes against Spain (which came just a few days after scoring against England), and Mexico. The 18-year-old was rewarded for his fine form in limited time by being named in Brazil’s Copa America squad, and even ended up playing the full 90 minutes in his country’s quarter-final defeat to Uruguay.

Height and Age

Endrick is 1.73 metres tall, or five feet, eight inches, tall. It means he doesn’t have the height to be able to outmuscle defenders in the air, but he very much is a technically gifted player on the ball instead. He does that perfectly — and, coupled with his strength, he has all the qualities to be able to transform into a well-rounded player.

The youngster was born on the 21st July 2006, meaning he is currently 18 years old. Remarkably, it means that he was born after one of the most iconic moments in football history – Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt in the 2006 World Cup final. The sport is always producing world-class wonderkids, which only makes everyone else feel older.

Position

Naturally, Endrick is a classic ‘number nine’ and striker. He enjoys playing in the final third and latching onto through balls or loose balls. However, as is often the case with younger players now, he can be versatile. The wonderkid has the ability to play on the left or right-hand side of the front three, whilst he has also made the odd appearances as an attacking midfielder or playmaker.

Yet when he has been used in his unfavoured positions, the Palmeiras striker has still been given the freedom to roam in the final third and look to receive the ball in between the lines. Endrick’s potential as a striker is endless, particularly when he makes the move to Europe.

Style of Play

As a left-footed forward who has the ability to send fear into opponents’ eyes, Endrick is one of the most exciting prospects in world football. Comparisons to Brazilian legends have unsurprisingly picked up, particularly after the friendly against England. Iconic Premier League midfielder Joe Cole saw stark comparisons between the teenager and Romario. “I think he has got a little bit of Romario about him,” Joe Cole told Channel 4 via Sky. “The body shape, the way he tucks the ball away.”

When he does get into the final third, Endrick has the ability to burst forward at pace once he receives the ball. This is part of his aim to isolate a defender one-on-one. Coupled with his technique of getting out of tight situations when facing two defenders, the wonderkid’s potential is clear. Meanwhile, if he isn’t able to progress in central areas, he often shifts the ball out of his feet quickly and shoots from range. With awareness, technique, determination and stamina, the 18-year-old has dramatically built an impressive reputation.

When asked to describe his style of play, Endrick said via Tifo Football, “I’ll always fight. I’ll be persistent and try until the last minute I’m in the game. I never give up, I pressure defenders, I run more than anyone else on the pitch.” Meanwhile, his father has previously stated that legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired the footballer.

Contract Status

Endrick’s move to Real Madrid was, via the Athletic, worth £30 million with another £21 million in achievable variables. Due to FIFA’s restrictions limiting the maximum contract for youngsters, he committed to just three years in the Spanish capital – however, there is a gentlemen’s agreement which will likely see him stay at one of Europe’s biggest teams until 2030.

Meanwhile, The Athletic stated that it was rumoured that Endrick would make over £1.7 million a season at the Santiago Bernabeu, so the teenager will be one of the highest-paid youngsters in the world.

All stats via Transfermarkt (correct as of 31/07/24)