Endrick, 18, was not expected to gain space straight away at Real Madrid.
Joined the merengue team in the middle of this year, the competition in attack was heavy: compatriots Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo and Frenchman Mbappé, champion in one World Cup (2018), runner-up in another (2022). All more experienced, all starters in their teams.
I had, however, the expectation that Endrick, main star and top scorer for the 2023 Brazilian champion Palmeiras, with some good performances (with goals) in friendlies for the Brazilian team, would be able to play at least around 25 to 30 minutes per game.
And that, if one of the stars (Vini, Rodrygo or Mbappé) were to get injured, he would immediately be promoted to the starting line-up by Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, the same one who preferred to continue with the Madrid giant, commanding Brazil – who is struggling under the direction of Dorival Jr.
In recent weeks, from mid-November onwards, at least one of the trio was out injured – at the moment, the injured one is Mbappé. But Endrick didn’t gain any more space.
Ancelotti chose to field, whether in the Spanish Championship (LaLiga) or in the European Champions League (Champions League), an attacking midfielder, or two (Brahim Díaz and Arda Güler), or even a midfielder (Dani Ceballos), launching Endrick into the attack.
The same thing continued to happen as before: Endrick warming up the bench, alongside unknowns like Víctor Muñoz, Lorenzo Aguado, Sergio Mestre and Youssef Lekhedim. And entering the field, if he entered, with just a few minutes left in the match, regardless of what the score showed (win, draw or defeat).
This Saturday (14) I watched a dynamic Rayo Vallecano 3 x 3 Real Madrid, in LaLiga, with Rodrygo, who scored a goal and provided an assist, starter and Vini, who is reappearing after injury, coming on in the 18th minute of the second half.
Endrick? He stepped onto the pitch at the Vallecas stadium, Rayo’s home field, in the 34th minute of the final stage. With stoppage time, he played 18 minutes, taking little possession of the ball and finishing once, with a header with his back to goal that was saved without much effort by goalkeeper Batalla.
In comparison with the six immediately previous matches, the number 16 also played from the 34th minute of the second half against Liverpool, in the Champions League, and Girona, in LaLiga.
Little. But a lot of time compared to other games.
Endridk did not play against Getafe (LaLiga) and Atalanta (Champions) and came on, always in the second half, in the 41st minute against Leganés and in the 43rd minute against Athletic Bilbao.
No goals, no assists. Could it have happened? Yes. But the lack of time was not Endrick’s ally.
At Real Madrid, so far this season, Endrick, not counting friendlies and stoppage time, has played 160 minutes spread across 15 matches, an average of less than 11 minutes in each one. Accumulated two goals (the last one on September 17th), zero passes for a goal, a single game (incomplete) as a starter.
For Palmeiras, this year, before leaving the club, considering Campeonato Paulista (in which Alviverde triumphed), Campeonato Brasileiro, Copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores, there were 22 games, 21 of them as a starter, 1,590 minutes (average of 72 per match ), five goals and two assists.
It is almost always frustrating for an athlete, especially when they are young, to endure a prolonged period in reserve, with just a few minutes to show off their football.
If Endrick continues to be an extra for the rest of the season, one way to negotiate with Real Madrid is to leave for one or two years on loan, to a smaller team, but one where he can play regularly and as a starter.
By having more minutes, his chance of returning to play the football that made Real spend 35 million euros (R$220 million at the current exchange rate) to sign him will be increased, which could consequently increase his status upon his return.
Because playing this misery of minutes per game, or sometimes not even playing at all, must not be leaving Endrick satiated.
LINK PRESENT: Did you like this text? Subscribers can access seven free accesses from any link per day. Just click the blue F below.
