Endrick may be running out of time to impress at Real Madrid, with Monday night's Copa del Rey clash with fourth-tier side Minera potentially a defining moment for the teenager.
Endrick came from Palmeiras to much fanfare in the summer – his tRANSFER secured more than 18 months ago in 2022, when the player was just 16, similar to how compatriots Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo had previously joined the club.
But despite scoring on his La Liga debut in just four minutes against Real Valladolid in August, and later on his Champions League debut against Stuttgart the following month, things have been incredibly difficult for the Brazilian teenager.
Endrick has only started once Real Madrid and his minutes in La Liga since the end of September are just 42, not allowing another goal. He didn't even come off the bench in the wins over Sevilla and Valencia either side of Christmas, or indeed during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final.
neither suggests that Carlo Ancelotti's refusal to commit to whether Endrick will start against Minera, three divisions below Madrid in Spain's football pyramid, is a concern and that his failure to be selected in the squad could indicate that his situation is already being reviewed, while a poor performance. if he gets the nod it can also be costly.
If Endrick, out of favor in La Liga and the Champions League, cannot get a meaningful opportunity in a cup match of this nature, it would be extremely bad. Usually behind Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler in the attacking ranks, the youngster's window to impress is otherwise very limited.
neither adds that, so far, it has not been the club's intention to seek a loan for the remainder of the season, not least given the stripped-down nature of the wider squad.
Endrick scored freely for Palmeiras during the 18 months starting at the start of 2023, also making a promising start to his international career with record goals against England and Spain. But the player had a shocking Copa America to forget, including a 90-minute quarter-final appearance against Uruguay in which his only successful pass was a kick-off.