The tide has turned quickly for Endrick at Real Madrid. The kid who arrived as a promise for the future has, in just a few months, become a topic of debate all over Spain. The newspaper Marca calls it the “Endrick crisis,” and that’s no exaggeration. The Brazilian, who had already started for the national team at just 17, is living the opposite of what he imagined when he landed in Madrid: he trains, warms up, but never plays. A talent that once dazzled now watches the season unfold from the bench, without a single minute under Xabi Alonso.
The club is considering the possibility of loaning him out in January so the forward can get minutes and regain his rhythm. The idea, unthinkable a year ago, now feels like the only logical way forward.
A premature reality check
Endrick’s signing was celebrated as the beginning of a new era. Compared to Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo, the youngster was treated as the next diamond to be polished at Valdebebas. But more than a year after his arrival, the shine still hasn’t shown. His absence from the win over Getafe last Sunday (19) was the last straw. Endrick warmed up, waited for his chance, and saw the game end without being called. People close to him have expressed frustration with the lack of opportunities, and patience seems to have reached its limit.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, is trying to handle the situation without public drama. There’s an understanding that the leap from South America to Europe’s elite takes time. But there’s also genuine concern: Endrick’s match rhythm has stalled. And for a player who’s been on the field since he was 16, inactivity hits hard. The club believes a loan might be the only way to restart his development, and, above all, his confidence.
The shadow of Xabi Alonso
Since taking over, Xabi Alonso hasn’t given the Brazilian a single minute. The coach seems to see Endrick as a project still in its early stages. His constant absence has sparked questions: why is the €72 million kid still invisible? Marca recalls that a loan had already been discussed in the previous transfer window, with Real Sociedad as the likely destination. A muscle injury derailed the deal, and the plan was put on hold. Now, with the same situation repeating, the idea is gaining momentum again. Real doesn’t want to burn him out, but it also doesn’t want to see him fade away.