With less than a month remaining before Carlo Ancelotti announces Brazil's squad for the World Cup, 19-year-old Endrick has experienced a resurgence in the national team's iconic yellow shirt. After a challenging season with limited opportunities at Real Madrid following Xabi Alonso's arrival, the forward was loaned to Lyon, where his revival began. In 18 matches in France, he has netted seven goals and provided seven assists, catching Ancelotti's attention. However, before a crucial match against Croatia in Orlando, the Brazil coach suggested Endrick was a player for the future, not the present. This comment was perceived by some as a potential end to his World Cup aspirations.
A Night of Doubts
Reflecting on that period, Endrick admitted: "It was a night of doubts and a sense of urgency – I knew it could be my last chance. I prayed a lot. I knew that day could be a turning point for me. I played well, one of my best performances. I managed to shake off those negative thoughts, that sense of urgency, that pressure to play well, that it might be my last chance. That helped me take the weight off my shoulders because I knew I had to play well to make it to the World Cup. But I managed to shake off that thought, I didn't let it affect me and played a great game."
Endrick was on the pitch for just 15 minutes. Brazil led 1-0 but were not performing well and conceded an equalizer shortly after his introduction. However, Endrick brought a new direction, earning a penalty that Igor Thiago converted, and later provided an assist for Gabriel Martinelli to seal a 3-1 victory.
Carrying the Weight of History
Endrick is part of a generation of Brazilian players who must bear the burden of the nation's 24-year World Cup drought. Yet, he insists that external pressures no longer affect him. "I no longer pay attention to what others say. When you take all that out of your life, things get easier. When I stepped back, I focused only on playing football and doing my best for my team. Once you ignore what happens off the pitch, you start performing better on it. That's the key for footballers. Work hard for the team and don't worry about the criticism."
He acknowledged that earlier in his career, he handled social media and criticism poorly. "I'd come off the pitch and would head straight to Twitter, to social media, to see what people were saying about me. I wanted to have my ego inflated. But that's not a good thing. Thank God that period is over. When the match is over, I stay calm and focus on my recovery. I don't care about that criticism any more."
Fatherhood and Future
Beyond football, Endrick is eagerly anticipating becoming a father. His wife Gabriely is expecting their child at the end of the year. The couple does not yet know the baby's sex, but Endrick hopes his child will not follow his footsteps into football. "I hope he or she becomes a great person, a great human being. And that he sees me off the pitch as a normal person, not as Endrick the footballer. Football isn't a nice place. It's a very tough environment. I hope he or she becomes a lawyer, a doctor or anything else, and can be happy in his own world."
Overcoming Adversity
Endrick has matured through numerous changes, including a difficult period at Real Madrid where he played only three times in six months due to a thigh injury that sidelined him for three months. "I had a complicated injury and lost a lot of time. It kept me away from many matches, training and work. I couldn't compete. When you get injured, you lose everything. You lose the chance to fight for a place. These are things beyond my control," he said.
"I was really afraid. I cried several times. That's something you do in private. I didn't know how to deal with my injury, what to expect. You don't know if you'll have a relapse, if you'll keep your strength, if you'll come back weaker. That affects you a lot. You get scared of the future. But I knew I had to keep going. If I'd had another injury, I'd have gone through the whole process again. I knew that when I came back, I'd have to give it my best."
Support from Teammates
Endrick has leaned on support from Real Madrid teammates, particularly Jude Bellingham. "Bellingham was really important to me. He made me feel welcome at the club. I didn't speak English very well, but he spoke to me, tried to speak a bit of Spanish, was by my side and gave me advice. His friendship was important to me in my beginning at Real Madrid. That really had an impact on me. I had a certain impression of him before I arrived, but he was completely different. He's an incredible player and an incredible person too, especially when it comes to friendship. That's what impressed me the most about him."
Luka Modric also left a lasting impression. "He was the player who most impressed me at Real Madrid: 100%. He's a guy who taught me a lot in my first year. Not just in training, but also in matches. It was a football masterclass. He was 40 years old and very strong. He trained every day. When he wasn't playing, he'd go to the club and train, doing his own extra training. The way he plays is incredible. He always gave me tips, telling me what I should do on the pitch. That helped me a lot. He was one of the most incredible guys I've ever met in football."
World Cup Dream
Brazil's World Cup opener is against Morocco on 13 June. Endrick's place in Ancelotti's squad is not yet assured, and he has three more games with Lyon to keep his dream alive. "My first desire is to play the World Cup. I need to be there. That's my first thought. Before thinking about the title, I need to do my job well at Lyon. I'm focused here. I need to play well in these remaining games to secure my place. My dream is to play the World Cup and help my country. I'll do my best to help Brazil."
