For now, Endrick’s future seems to be heading toward France. According to Fabrizio Romano, Lyon has entered the race and offered a glimmer of hope for the young Brazilian forward, who’s going through his most difficult spell since joining Real Madrid. With no room in Xabi Alonso’s squad and aware that sitting on the bench could cost him a spot with the Brazilian national team, the 19-year-old sees a loan move to the French club as a chance to get his career back on track and maybe, just maybe, earn his ticket to the World Cup.
The urgency to play
It’s no exaggeration to say Endrick is stuck in Madrid. Fully recovered from two thigh injuries, he’s been available for over a month but hasn’t stepped onto the field once in the last eight matches. It’s not about quality, it’s about opportunity. Real Madrid still believes in his potential, but the roster is too deep to wait for him to develop through minutes on the pitch. It’s the classic young-player dilemma , remain a promise at a giant club or become a starter somewhere that truly needs you.
That’s where Lyon steps in as the perfect escape route. The French side is searching for a striker who can solve an obvious issue: scoring goals. Their current top scorer, Pavel Sulc, has only three goals in nine matches, and despite sitting in a good position in both Ligue 1 and the Europa League, the team needs someone capable of deciding games.
France as a bridge, not an escape
Endrick and his camp see the move as a bridge, not a getaway. The goal has never been to leave Real Madrid for good, it’s to play. The plan is to go out, find rhythm, come back sharper, and, in the process, remind Carlo Ancelotti that he can be an asset for Brazil in 2026. The World Cup is the dream, and the message is clear: without minutes, there’s no World Cup.
France could be the place where the Brazilian forward rediscovers the freedom he’s lost on Real Madrid’s bench. The Spanish club, on the other hand, would rather send him on loan within Spain for practical reasons. Endrick is just six months away from getting his Spanish passport, which would simplify his long-term adaptation to European soccer. But Lyon seems to offer something far more appealing, the promise of being a starter. And for a player who feeds on confidence, that matters more than any bureaucratic detail.
Endrick has already turned down bigger clubs earlier this season. Inter Milan tried to lure him in, but he chose to stay and fight for his place. Now, though, things are different. Patience has a limit, and the World Cup is getting closer. He knows that if he keeps going unseen, the cost will be heavy — and it won’t be about money. A successful loan could flip the narrative, prove that his spark is still alive, and show he’s ready to handle the spotlight away from the shadow of the superstars.