On July 7, 2024, Brazil performed Uruguay within the Copa América quarterfinals. Brazil’s 17-year-old centre-forward Endrick was enjoying within the greatest sport of his profession thus far, two weeks earlier than he would formally signal for Actual Madrid.
Endrick was carrying the Brazil No. 9 shirt as soon as worn by Ronaldo Nazário, Tostão and Adriano. With a spot within the Copa América semifinals at stake, it was the right alternative to substantiate his standing as certainly one of soccer’s brightest new stars.
Solely, it did not go based on plan. The sport at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas ended 0-0, Uruguay received on penalties and Endrick’s efficiency was extensively mocked on social media; he accomplished only one move in 90 minutes, and that was taking the kickoff.
In reality, Endrick was quiet in all 4 Copa América appearances, albeit as a part of a broadly underwhelming and dysfunctional Brazil aspect. (In different phrases, it wasn’t his fault.) In 19 minutes towards Costa Rica, 11 minutes towards Paraguay, 4 minutes towards Colombia and 90 minutes towards Uruguay, he scored no targets, supplied no assists, created no probabilities, had simply 35 touches and took two photographs for a mixed xG (anticipated targets) of 0.09.
Nonetheless, it is a participant who was signed by Actual Madrid in December 2022 aged simply 16, in a deal that his membership Palmeiras known as the “greatest within the historical past of Brazilian soccer.” Madrid are specialists in recognizing Brazil’s finest abilities, because of chief scout Juni Calafat — who recognized each forwards Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo — and signed them as youngsters.
Madrid aren’t typically unsuitable, they usually’ve all the time believed Endrick is particular. ESPN spoke to a number of sources — who’ve seen firsthand {the teenager}’s growth into certainly one of world soccer’s most hyped younger gamers — to search out out why.
Nov. 14, 2021. Endrick was 15 years outdated on the time however already enjoying for Palmeiras under-20s. His precocious expertise had seen his fame attain a nationwide degree in football-mad Brazil, and followers have been eagerly awaiting his skilled debut.
Palmeiras had certified for the ultimate of Brazil’s under-15s event, however the staff wasn’t relying on having the ability to embrace Endrick for the match towards archrivals Corinthians, additionally from the town of São Paulo. That was till the younger ahead approached Palmeiras youth coordinator João Paulo Sampaio. “I need to play,” he mentioned.
It did not make a lot sense. Endrick was already enjoying at a a lot greater degree, however he was additionally simply an adolescent, and like several 15-year-old, he needed to be along with his pals. In essence, the request was really a farewell. Endrick needed to play for the final time with youngsters who had been his teammates because the under-11s as a result of he knew that from then on, his life can be very completely different.
So Endrick took to the sphere for Palmeiras’ under-15s one final time. Within the metropolis of Porto Feliz, within the state of São Paulo, he scored a aim and supplied two assists, additionally permitting one other participant — Luis Guilherme, now of West Ham United — to take the penalty that opened the scoring in a 5-0 win.
The anecdote, informed by sources to ESPN, is only one instance from the lifetime of a participant who, from the age of 10, has needed to tackle an grownup’s obligations. Endrick was destined for large issues, and he knew it.
Endrick was born in Taguatinga, in Brazil’s Federal District, simply outdoors the capital metropolis of Brasilia, within the nation’s highlands. By the age of 8, he was already being monitored by high golf equipment, together with São Paulo, certainly one of Brazilian soccer’s “massive twelve” groups. At 10, he performed for them in a nationwide event. Video clips of his abilities went viral.
Endrick’s father, Douglas, had additionally performed soccer, at a decrease degree. He used to journey along with his son to Cotia, the place São Paulo’s academy relies.
On the time, the household was residing in Valparaíso de Goiás, 600 miles away, so Douglas requested the membership for a month-to-month allowance, and a job, in order that they may transfer to São Paulo. Their supply was restricted to 150 Brazilian reais — round $27 — a month.
That is the place Palmeiras got here in. The membership, additionally based mostly in São Paulo, is certainly one of Brazil’s greatest. They’ve received 26 Campeonato Paulista state leagues, a file 12 nationwide Brazilian Serie A league titles, and three CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores.
They provided Douglas round 3000 Brazilian reais a month to assist the household settle in São Paulo and promised Douglas a job. When Endrick turned 11, he can be legally allowed to register with Palmeiras and take part in youth competitions.
Endrick’s mom, Cintia, moved straightaway, with him and his brother. Their father needed to wait longer, serving his discover in his job as a cleaner at Brasilia’s Mané Garrincha stadium.
As soon as the household was reunited, Endrick’s dad and mom bought meals outdoors São Paulo’s Barra Funda Metro Station to make ends meet. When Douglas started working for Palmeiras, within the cleansing division, the state of affairs improved. Douglas additionally bought to know a few of Palmeiras’ first-team gamers, consuming with them within the membership canteen. However he had few tooth, could not eat strong meals and, embarrassed by the state of affairs, he would solely order soup.
This was noticed by Palmeiras goalkeeper Jailson. The pair had grow to be shut. Jailson bought along with teammates Antônio Carlos, Victor Luis and Deyverson, and organized for Douglas to have dental therapy.
The story was the inspiration for Endrick’s first sponsorship deal, arrange by Wolff Sports activities — the company entrusted with managing his business agreements by his agent, Frederico Pena — when he was simply 15.
After listening to what had occurred with Douglas, director Fabio Wolff approached Brazilian dental firm Odonto. Endrick grew to become the face of the corporate’s campaigns, smiling. Now his father might smile, too.
Endrick is a central striker, however he cannot be described as a traditional centre-forward. He is consistently on the transfer, and at Palmeiras, he has additionally performed on the wing. Being left-footed, he can play extensive on the suitable, seeking to lower inside, though in Brazil he discovered the defensive elements of the function, needing to trace again, tougher.
1:23
Why Brazil’s Endrick is the ‘particular one’
Tim Vickery discusses Brazil’s newest wonderkid Endrick and explains why he thinks the longer term could be very brilliant for the Palmeiras striker.
Talking to ESPN, teammates and opponents emphasize Endrick’s high quality, mixed along with his bodily power and his mentality. His logos are his motion to search out area, and his ending. Some have in contrast the brand new Actual Madrid ahead to Adriano, the left-footed ahead who grew to become one of many world’s finest at Inter Milan within the 2000s.
Endrick is fearless. At Palmeiras, he would not hesitate to talk to teammates, teaching employees and managers, regardless of his age. Earlier than decisive matches, he would inform them that victory was assured. His confidence and maturity have been spectacular. At instances, youth coordinator João Paulo Sampaio thought Endrick’s angle may need been extreme, however his actions tended to again up his phrases.
One sport at youth degree highlighted Endrick’s aggressive instincts. Aged 14, he performed for the U17 aspect in a 7-3 defeat to Flamengo, a sport nonetheless remembered by employees at Palmeiras to today for the expertise on show for each groups. After the match, the employees weren’t sad with the gamers, regardless of the defeat. The sport had been of a excessive technical degree, and the staff had performed nicely. However Endrick was indignant. He had misplaced. His stance left an impression.
On one other event, Endrick prevented a nervous teammate from being dropped from the beginning lineup earlier than a sport, speaking to the coach and telling him that he would calm the participant down.
Sources level to this angle — with an excellent head on his shoulders, from the very starting — as being the one figuring out think about making Endrick the participant he’s right this moment.
“He solely thinks about soccer, nothing else. His maturity is spectacular,” a former teammate informed ESPN.
Endrick’s skilled debut got here on Oct. 6, 2022. Palmeiras have been enjoying Coritiba within the league, and coach Abel Ferreira was suspended, watching the sport from the stands at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, and speaking with assistant and João Martins on the touchline. Twenty-two minutes into the second half, with Palmeiras 3-0 up, the order got here to ship the boy out onto the pitch. The followers have been euphoric, and inside minutes, Endrick went near scoring. In stoppage time, he had one other probability.
Endrick’s first aim got here 19 days later, in a 3-1 win away at Athletico Paranaense. At 16 years, 3 months and 4 days outdated, Endrick grew to become the youngest aim scorer in Palmeiras’ historical past, breaking a file that had stood for 106 years.
Off the sphere, Endrick is nicely sorted. The concept of the participant and his representatives is to search for long-term enterprise companions for sponsorship offers, reasonably than short-term offers, with some type of private connection.
At an early assembly, when Endrick was 15, sources informed ESPN that one element stood out. A enterprise proposal was being introduced to the participant, his dad and mom and the agent. For nearly an hour, Endrick paid consideration to every little thing that was being mentioned. He did not as soon as contact his cell phone.
Three elite athletes have been recognized as being function fashions and benchmarks for the way he needed his profession to develop: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Cristiano Ronaldo.
All business requests from companions are posted to a WhatsApp group, which incorporates all of Endrick’s employees in order that he and his staff are totally conscious. In addition to Odonto, Endrick has offers with Brazil’s largest pharmaceutical firm, Hypera, and the São Paulo-based cosmetics firm Natura, in addition to sports activities agency New Stability.
He was additionally the poster boy for the launch of Disney+ in Brazil and has grow to be a casual ambassador for GRAAC, a kids’s most cancers charity. His employees count on new offers to be signed within the coming months, given the higher publicity he’ll get carrying the Actual Madrid shirt.
There have been occasional controversies, resembling in an interview with Brazilian soccer journal Placar this 12 months, speaking in regards to the work of psychologists.
“My psychologist is primarily God,” Endrick mentioned. “I need not open my coronary heart to anybody else. I’ve God in my life, and I need not vent to another person who does not even know my dad and mom, who does not even know me. So I simply have to speak to God, I’ve to hope. And for me, my therapists are actually my household … I do not suppose I want to search out somebody who does not even know my household correctly.”
The remarks induced heated debate on social media. They got here across the similar time that Tottenham Hotspur and Brazil ahead Richarlison had spoken bravely about how remedy had helped him.
Particulars of Endrick’s relationship with 21-year-old mannequin and influencer Gabriely Miranda have additionally made headlines. The pair have spoken publicly a couple of “relationship contract” that they’ve each signed, which states that they’re in a “voluntary relationship” based mostly on “respect, understanding and affection.” It stipulates how typically the couple should say “I like you” and prohibits varied types of conduct. The revelation led to widespread protection in Brazilian and worldwide media, together with articles inspecting the authorized validity of such a contract.
Folks near Endrick informed ESPN that the ahead retains a low profile on-line and on social media. They describe him as being receptive to recommendation and steerage. When employees suggested Endrick to delete an Instagram video he had posted, he listened, accepted the criticism and eliminated the content material.
In January 2022, Endrick had round 100,000 followers throughout all social media platforms. Right this moment, he has over 15 million. His exploits on the pitch, and his profile off it, have already caught the attention of a few of soccer’s greatest names. Ronaldo Nazário, one of many best No. 9s ever to play for Actual Madrid and Brazil, has been received over.
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R9 or Cristiano? Endrick picks his favorite Ronaldo
Actual Madrid’s future Brazilian star Endrick takes on ESPN’s You Have To Reply problem.
“He is a participant with lots of high quality,” he mentioned. “He has a nostril for aim, he protects the ball nicely, [he’s good in] one-on-ones, he dribbles. … I believe he has all the good traits of a centre-forward, with the standard of a No. 10.”
Endrick’s title even got here up within the unlikely setting of an NBA Finals information convention this 12 months, when ESPN Brazil requested Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla about Celtics star Jayson Tatum, and the strain he faces.
“The lens with which Brazilian soccer gamers are checked out is similar to how American athletes are checked out,” Mazzulla mentioned. “You have a look at the place Neymar has been over his time, taking over the No. 10 [shirt for Brazil]. … Who do you suppose has handled essentially the most? How do you suppose they’ve dealt with it? Now you see Endrick arising, he will face that quickly.”
Endrick has a protracted relationship with and affection for america, going again to his childhood. It was a topic introduced up by Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira forward of the 2022 FIFA Membership World Cup when coming beneath strain from followers to name up Endrick — then 15 and but to make his skilled debut — for the event. In a information convention, Ferreira known as for endurance.
“We’ll the [Club] World Cup,” he mentioned. “If the membership needs to purchase [Endrick] and his household a ticket to Disneyland, that is what he wants.”
Not lengthy afterward, when Endrick travelled to Europe to go to Actual Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain — contemplating his subsequent steps — he did, certainly, go to Disneyland Paris. He lastly made it to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, this summer season forward of the Copa América. Madrid’s greatest opponents for Endrick’s signature in 2022 have been PSG, with Chelsea and Barcelona additionally . Barca’s then-coach, Xavi, mentioned he had spoken to Endrick personally. However Endrick needed Madrid. The affect of Vinicius and Rodrygo — he had been in contact with each — was additionally decisive, sources informed ESPN.
As with Vinícius and Rodrygo, the function of Madrid’s chief scout Juni Calafat can’t be overstated. He travelled personally to fulfill Endrick and his household to seal the deal, which Madrid introduced on Dec. 15, 2022. The participant would formally signal for Madrid a 12 months and a half later when he turned 18.
Palmeiras wouldn’t disclose the phrases of the deal, merely saying it was “suitable with Endrick’s huge expertise and corresponds to the sporting and monetary targets that now we have established because the starting of the negotiations.” Sources informed ESPN it was price a complete of €72 million, together with variables and taxes.
On Endrick’s aspect, negotiations have been led by agent Fred Pena. In July final 12 months, when his TFM company was acquired by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, Pena grew to become CEO of the newly based Roc Nation Sports activities Brazil. Beneath him in Endrick’s day-to-day administration is Thiago Freitas, the corporate’s chief working officer.
Vinicius and Endrick are represented by the identical company, however have solely separate groups taking care of them, inside the Roc Nation Sports activities Brazil umbrella.
On Sunday, July 21, after a summer season of disappointment within the Copa América, Endrick turned 18. He shall be introduced as a Actual Madrid participant later this week, earlier than becoming a member of the squad for preseason coaching. “When he comes, he’ll be with the primary staff, there are not any doubts about that,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti mentioned in February.
Endrick shall be competing for a spot in Madrid’s assault alongside Vinicius, Rodrygo and one other new arrival, Kylian Mbappé. The most definitely situation is that he begins in the back of the queue, and has to attend for his alternative.
The large distinction between Vinicius, Rodrygo and Endrick — who all arrived at 18 — is that the primary two landed in Madrid as prospects. Endrick is already a full Brazil worldwide. He made his senior nationwide staff debut in November 2023, the youngest participant to play for Brazil since Ronaldo Nazário, nearly 30 years earlier.
When he scored the profitable aim in a 1-0 victory over England at Wembley on March 23, 2024, he grew to become the fourth-youngest scorer in Brazil’s historical past, behind Pelé, Edu and Ronaldo. Endrick, once more exhibiting spectacular maturity and diplomacy, even name-checked Sir Bobby Charlton in postmatch interviews.
These near Endrick and his household say they don’t doubt that he’s as ready as doable to succeed at Actual Madrid, and laser-focused on attaining his targets. It is as if he all the time knew that, ultimately, he can be a Madridista.
