‘I’ve followed Ronaldo’s career at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and now Al Nassr. It doesn’t matter where he is, I’ll always follow him’ Endrick on being influenced by Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a hat-trick for Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid in the teams' Champions League semi-final first leg in May 2017.
Cristiano Ronaldo's pressence is still felt in Madrid (Image credit: Getty Images)

Brazilian teenager Endrick is at the start of what he hopes will be a long and successful career.

The 19-year-old crossed the Atlantic in 2024 when he completed his move to Real Madrid to join the club of his hero - and the player he wants to emulate.

That’s because, like so many of his generation, the former Palmeiras man grew up idolising Cristiano Ronaldo.

Endrick on his career path so far and the player he wants to emulate

Endrick celebrating a goal on his Real Madrid La Liga debut

Endrick arrived in Madrid in 2024 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Ronaldo made the move to the Premier League at the age of 18, so when Endrick had the opportunity to make a loan move in January, was he tempted to follow Ronaldo’s footsteps?

“Yes, there was interest from English clubs, and from Italy and Germany too,” the teenager tells FourFourTwo. “Some very good clubs showed interest, but it’s not necessary to mention names.

Real Madrid star Endrick

Endrick left Real Madrid on loan in January (Image credit: Getty Images)

“I thank them for their interest. I have God in my life and when I heard about the English clubs that were interested, I didn’t hear God telling me it was the destination at that moment, and neither did my wife.

“When you get married, you know who’s really in charge! [Laughs] So it’s important to listen to her opinion. But when the name Lyon appeared, both my wife and I felt the touch of God.

“If one day I go to the Premier League, then it will not only be my decision, it will be something God places in my path.”

Growing up, there was one Premier League club that caught his attention.

“I had affection for Manchester United, because that’s where Cristiano Ronaldo played and achieved so much.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Alan Smith after scoring Manchester United's fifth goal against Roma in the teams' Champions League quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford in April 2007.

Endrick grew up watching Ronaldo play for Manchester United (Image credit: Getty Images)

“Everyone watches the Premier League – it has excellent clubs, a lot of excitement and a lot of matches that are decided in the final moments.

“I’ve followed Ronaldo’s career closely and watched YouTube videos of him playing at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and now Al Nassr.

“It doesn’t matter where he is, I’ll always follow him.”

Joe Mewis

For more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.

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