Becoming one of the youngest players to be called up for the Brazilian National Team and with a move to Real Madrid planned for next summer, the exciting Carioca wonderkid is on everyone’s lips.
Prior to Fernando Diniz naming his usual star-studded Brazil squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers much of the talk centered around the long-term injury absence of talisman Neymar and how the Seleçao would reshuffle. Yet when the 24-strong group was announced focus shifted and instead it was a teenage debutant making the headlines.
Endrick - the latest Brazilian star off the conveyor belt. If the name is already familiar it’s probably because Real Madrid once again stole a march on their rivals last year and snapped up the teen. A fee that could be in excess of €60 million for a relatively untested young player who wouldn’t be joining until he turned 18 in July of 2024 speaks volumes of Endrick’s frightening potential.
This month’s call-up to wear the famous yellow might just be the latest milestone in a fledgling career that some predict could eventually sit among the pantheon of Brazilian greats. After all, only three players including a certain Pelé have been called up at a younger age and when you’re pipping O Fenômeno Ronaldo, it’s esteemed company to be in.
Prolific at youth level, Endrick’s 167 goals in 170 appearances already had him on the radar and while the jump to senior football can be a daunting one, the 17-year-old is already regularly finding the net for the Palmeiras first team.
Only three under-23 players have scored more than Endrick in this season’s Brasileirão - all three further along in their development, more experienced, and having racked up more minutes this season than the Palmeiras teen. Not since Neymar in 2009 has a 17-year-old scored nine goals in a league season.
Four goals in four appearances during November have helped the Verdão chase down Botafogo’s once unassailable lead and it’s now Palmeiras only four games away from the title.
This close control and dribbling ability is something widely associated with South American players and Endrick is no different. Relatively short at 171cm, his stocky frame provides that classic low center of gravity associated with so many successful exports over the years and he has the strength to bounce off challenges and hold his own against the most physical of defenses.
While these attributes are obviously useful in creating opportunities for himself, Endrick is more than adept deeper helping out the side. 2.4 progressive runs per 90 in the 2023 Brasileirão drive Palmeiras forward on occasion and prove useful hitting sides on the counter.
And in the context of the modern game, all of these offensive attributes would be somewhat diminished if a forward were not willing or able to carry out the defensive duties of a player high up the pitch. Fortunately, that too is an area where Endrick has displayed an admirable work rate.
Pressing from the front and looking to apply pressure on opposition defenses when aiming to play out has seen Endrick win possession for Palmeiras in dangerous positions. In an interview with the Athletic, the young forward said: “I'll always fight. I'll be persistent and try until the last minute I'm in the game. I never give up, I pressure defenders, I run more than anyone else on the pitch.”
Naturally for a player with only a little over a year as a senior player and still only 17 there is plenty for Endrick still to work on. A raw, if vast, talent that still requires development and like so many in a similar position can at times be guilty of trying to do too much.
As he gains experience and a broader tactical understanding this should automatically improve. For a young player of such natural ability, the fact that for the time being Endrick has also spoken about his desire to focus entirely on football and family and shun the temptation of parties and nightlife can only be a good thing.
A colossal move to Real Madrid beckons in July and making the switch as potentially a fully-fledged Brazilian international while still a teenager is hugely exciting.