‘It’s difficult to describe in words what I felt the day I joined Real Madrid. I’ll never forget that moment and all the fans who came out to welcome me’ Endrick on what it meant to join the Spanish giants

For South American wonderkids, the move across the Atlantic to Europe at a young age is a well-trodden path, but for Brazilian starlet Endrick, it felt extra special.

After making a name for himself at an early age with Palmeiras, the teenager striker quickly became one of world football’s hottest prospects and caught the eye of Europe’s biggest sides.

Real Madrid would win the race to land Endrick, who joined up with the Spanish side shortly after making his full Brazil debut in March 2024.

Endrick on what it meant to join Real Madrid

As is their style, Real Madrid unveiled their new €60million signing at a packed Bernabeu in July 2024, days after Kylian Mbappe was introduced to the Spanish capital.

“It was very emotional,” Endrick tells FourFourTwo. “I didn’t imagine that there would be so many people, because Mbappe had been announced first. I thought the fans would have gone to see him already and that maybe for my presentation, there would be 5,000 people at most.

“When I stepped out into the stadium, there were so many people there. From the very first day, I thanked God for the privilege of wearing the shirt of the biggest club in the world and for the thousands of fans who came to welcome me. It was incredible, and that reception made me very happy. Because it was my childhood dream, I couldn’t hold back the tears.

“Football is dynamic – things can change quickly and I also thank Lyon very much for the opportunity they’ve given me, but when I arrived at Real Madrid, I imagined it would be the second and last club of my career, after Palmeiras. It’s difficult to describe in words what I felt that day. I’ll never forget that moment and all the fans who came out to welcome me with so much affection.”

But with great fanfare comes great expectation. So did he feel pressure to succeed immediately?

“Actually no, because I’d just arrived and the attention was all on Mbappe, who signed as the number nine and starting striker that season,” the Brazilian admits. “I played maybe 15 minutes at most in matches, so I didn’t feel much pressure. Also, when I came off the bench I managed to score goals, win penalties and cause danger for the opposition.

“When I say I didn’t feel any pressure, that’s more in terms of the individual side, because at Real Madrid the pressure for collective success is always very high.”

Goals would follow on his club and Champions League debuts, with Endrick making an early impact off the bench. But with his playing time in the talent-packed Madrid front line limited, he moved on loan to Lyon in January. So when did he realise he wasn’t getting the minutes he wanted

“It’s difficult to say, because for me, my first year at the club was excellent,” he continues. “At 18, you don’t arrive at a club like Real Madrid as a starter. That only happens in rare cases. In my first season, I came off the bench and scored goals in the Copa del Rey. But in the second year, the coach changed; the new manager, Xabi Alonso, didn’t know me and I was also just coming back from an injury.

“I wasn’t getting many minutes, so my team and I realised early on that I wouldn’t have many chances and we didn’t wait. In the first transfer window, the best option was to leave and continue developing my football. Coming to Lyon has been spectacular because I’m playing a lot and that’s what every player wants.”