Brazil teenager Endrick has been unveiled as Actual Madrid’s newest switch on the Bernabéu, days after he signed his contract with the Champions League holders.
Madrid agreed a deal to signal ahead Endrick from Palmeiras in December 2022, however the prospect couldn’t formally be a part of the membership till his 18th birthday on July 21, 2024.
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The 18-year-old was visibly emotional on the public presentation on the stadium, telling followers he has long-dreamed of taking part in for the reigning LaLiga champions as his dad and mom had been additionally in tears in attendance.
“That is loopy,” Endrick mentioned. “I’m so comfortable, since I used to be a child I’ve at all times been a Madrid fan and now I’m going to play for Madrid.
“I’m right here, I’m going to play, I’m so comfortable, my household are as nicely. I haven’t got phrases to explain what I’m feeling. I at all times needed to be right here. I needed to play for Madrid. It was a dream. In the present day it’s a actuality.
“I’m grateful to everybody. Now we’re going to sing a chant collectively, I’m certain you’ll all sing with me: Three, two, one… ‘Hala Madrid.’
“I will not lie, I didn’t count on all this, so many individuals.”
Sources instructed ESPN that greater than 40,000 followers had been on the occasion. Madrid president Florentino Perez welcomed his workforce’s newest younger expertise.
“This second was what you dreamed of as a baby,” he mentioned. “That conviction has led you to fulfil a lifetime dream. That dream you had whenever you had been solely 9 years outdated with the Actual Madrid Basis.
“Your play and objectives already convey followers to their ft and Madrid are delighted to have you ever as a part of the household.”
Endrick held a information convention on the Bernabéu instantly after the disclosing, the place he revealed that Los Blancos all-time document aim scorer Cristiano Ronaldo drove his fandom of the storied membership, and that the emotion overwhelmed him on the pitch on the unveiling.
“It [the tears] wasn’t deliberate, however as I mentioned, since I used to be younger, I’ve liked Actual Madrid,” Endrick mentioned. “Firstly as a result of I noticed Cristiano Ronaldo and that is initially why I needed to know extra concerning the membership and began trying again in any respect the celebs which have been right here.
“I’ve been enamoured by Madrid since then … I did not need to cry, nevertheless it got here from the soul. I hope we will now create historical past collectively.”
He added that his dad and mom tears through the occasion “touched his coronary heart,” saying he “wouldn’t be right here with out them.”
Endrick featured for Brazil at this summer time’s Copa América, beginning and taking part in 90 minutes of their penalty shootout defeat to Uruguay within the competitors’s quarterfinals.
He instructed the information convention that he has spoken lots to new teammates Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Éder Militão about his transfer.
“[They] have helped me lots,” Endrick mentioned. “They’ve spoken concerning the membership because the second arrived to return right here, about coaching and video games. I used to be centered on the Copa América so now I hope we will communicate extra and construct a powerful friendship for the advantage of Actual Madrid, which is what’s vital.”
Sources instructed ESPN that the participant didn’t count on to hitch the Actual Madrid squad as they set off on their pre-season tour of the USA later this month, the place they may play three video games towards AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.
Madrid’s first aggressive fixture of 2024-25 is the UEFA Tremendous Cup, the place the Champions League winners will play Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw, on Aug. 14.
They tackle Mallorca of their opening recreation of the brand new LaLiga season on Aug 18.
Endrick will put on the No. 16 as he competes for a spot within the Actual Madrid assault alongside Brazil teammates Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, and one other new arrival, Kylian Mbappé.
He’s the most recent teenage Brazilian expertise to be recognized by Madrid and chief scout Juni Calafat after they agreed a deal for then 16-year-old Vinícius in 2017 and Rodrygo, then 17, a yr later.
Endrick has been a lot hyped since turning into the youngest participant to characteristic for Palmeiras, making his first workforce debut aged 16 years, two months and 16 days in October 2022.
In December 2022, Madrid confirmed that they’d agreed a take care of Endrick, beating competitors from various prime European golf equipment together with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Palmeiras known as it the most important switch in Brazilian soccer historical past, with sources telling ESPN the deal was price a complete of €72 million ($79m), together with variables and taxes.
Endrick made his Brazil nationwide workforce debut in November 2023, approaching instead in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Colombia.
He scored in Brazil’s 1-0 pleasant win over England at Wembley on March 23 and once more in a 3-3 draw with Spain on March 26, incomes a call-up to their squad for the Copa América.
There, he was restricted to only one begin and three substitute appearances, in a disappointing event for the five-time World Cup winners.
Info from ESPN’s Sam Marsden contributed to this report.
