Endrick needed just 90 minutes in Metz to send a direct message to Madrid. The 19-year-old scored three times in Lyon’s 5–2 road win, moved to four goals in three games for the French club, and made history as the youngest Brazilian to record a hat-trick in Europe’s five major leagues since 1992/93, surpassing none other than Ronaldo Fenômeno. While Lyon celebrates its eighth straight win this season and fourth place in Ligue 1 with 36 points, Real Madrid fans are probably watching it all with a mix of pride, frustration, and that uncomfortable feeling of “this could be happening at the Bernabéu.”
Endrick opened the scoring in the 11th minute, struck again in first-half stoppage time, and sealed it in the 87th by calmly converting a penalty like a seasoned veteran. It was the first hat-trick of his professional career, achieved at 19 years and six months, younger than Ronaldo was when he pulled off a similar feat with Inter Milan in 1997/98. On top of that, Lyon’s forward joined a short list of young players who’ve scored three in a Ligue 1 match this century, trailing only Jérémy Ménez, Kylian Mbappé, and Ousmane Dembélé.
Endrick explodes in France and leaves Madrid silent
His loan to Lyon, which runs through the end of the season, is already starting to look like a risky move for Real Madrid. Sure, the official line is development, playing time, adapting to European soccer. On paper, it all makes sense. But the field has a way of being ruthless with conservative decisions, and Endrick is proving that game after game. He was barely used under Carlo Ancelotti, though he still got on the field at times, and then ended up forgotten by Xabi Alonso, who showed little interest in the young Brazilian star.
Four goals in three matches don’t happen by accident. Lyon is grateful. With the win, the club reached 36 points and locked into fourth place in Ligue 1, riding a streak of eight straight victories across all competitions. PSG still leads with 45, but Endrick’s team has firmly entered the conversation for European spots, and it’s done so largely thanks to a borrowed teenager.
Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Real Madrid. Nothing dramatic, sure, but enough to keep fans uneasy. Because this isn’t just any player. This is a jewel bought at a premium, treated as a future star, and now shining far from home.
Real Madrid’s dilemma and the bite that won’t go away
It’s impossible not to picture Madrid supporters watching the hat-trick highlights and letting out that tight, frustrated sigh. Is Endrick ready? Maybe not yet to be an undisputed starter. But he’s more than ready to be an option, to come on in big games, to speed things up.
What stings is the timing. The Brazilian shows a natural scoring instinct, personality, and a rare ability to decide games early. Beating Ronaldo Fenômeno to a record like this is a clear sign of potential. And he’s been showing that potential since his days in Brazil.
Real Madrid bet that a few months in Ligue 1 would be the ideal environment for him to mature. Maybe so. But every Endrick goal in France works like an uncomfortable reminder: he could be learning all of this while wearing white.