Endrick's tragedy

Endrick is having a tough time at Real Madrid.

Endrick's journey at Real Madrid – at least so far – is one such example. From a young man dubbed "the little Romario," greeted with a radiant smile by Florentino Perez in the Bernabéu reception hall, to a pensive face on the bench, it all happened in just one year.

At 19, Endrick is facing the first major turning point in a career that should have been explosive. The player who scored for Brazil at Wembley, who was the subject of European competition at just 16, is now preparing to leave Madrid – not because of a lack of talent, but because he no longer has a place in the team. A loan deal in January is almost certain, and the destination could be England, where he smiled on his first day wearing the Selecao shirt.

When Bernabéu no longer has room for the "child"

Ironically, Endrick joined Real Madrid at the same time Kylian Mbappe arrived. However, under Xabi Alonso, every attacking formation revolved around the French star, while young players like Endrick were relegated to the role of spectators. He hadn't played since May – a long break that eroded his confidence and passion for the game.

Last season, Carlo Ancelotti patiently gave Endrick 37 appearances, resulting in 7 goals – an average of one goal every 120 minutes, a very promising figure. But Alonso, with his pragmatic philosophy and preference for stability, excluded the young player from his plans. Meanwhile, Gonzalo Garcia – a player from the youth team – shone brightly at the FIFA Club World Cup with 4 goals and 1 assist. The picture is clear: Xabi chose players who were ready, while Endrick was not.

It is said that when Endrick first arrived in Madrid, he spent a week at Vinicius Jr.'s house in La Moraleja to "learn the ropes." Vinicius ate according to a private chef's menu, recovered in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, slept on a strict schedule, and avoided partying. Real Madrid wanted Endrick to see this exemplary path. But once the ball was no longer rolling, those lessons faded away.

Endrick was consistently on the bench.

In the match against Getafe, Endrick warmed up throughout the second half but wasn't brought on, angrily kicking a water bottle. More recently, he sat silently watching Garcia being brought on as the fifth substitute in the match against Juventus. Alonso's nod to the 21-year-old player is a temporary end to the ambitions of the Brazilian "golden boy" at Bernabéu.

Real Madrid - and the old lesson with young talent

Real Madrid had success with Vinicius and Rodrygo, who were nurtured under the protective wing of Valdebebas. They didn't need loans, weren't tested elsewhere, and grew up in the most demanding environment. But Endrick didn't have that luck. He arrived during a time when Real Madrid were too rich in stars, too hungry for titles, and lacked patience.

Juni Calafat – the man behind the €35 million (potentially rising to €60 million) transfer – still believes Endrick will shine. But to do that, the young player needs playing time, needs to make mistakes, needs to experience setbacks. Carlo Ancelotti – now Brazil's head coach – has stated bluntly: "I wouldn't call him up if he wasn't playing regularly." That's both a warning and advice.

West Ham have inquired, Manchester United are keeping an eye on him, and elsewhere, smaller clubs like Real Oviedo are also ready to lend a hand. Playing in the Premier League, in a fierce but opportunity-rich environment, could be the much-needed remedy for Endrick – something Valdebebas can no longer provide him.

When Real Madrid is already overcrowded, leaving isn't a failure, but a courageous act to save himself. Endrick needs to play, needs to make mistakes, needs to rediscover the joy of scoring goals – the very thing that once made the world aware of the "baby-faced prodigy" from Palmeiras.

Because sometimes, to become a true star, you have to step out of the brightest spotlight.