Endrick's boost helped Lyon turn their fortunes around.

Some signings aren't just for patching up a squad. They arrive at the right time, address the right desires, and inadvertently become icons. For Lyon, Endrick is a prime example of this.

Mota once played alongside Messi. Photo: Reuters .

Just a few months ago, Lyon was on the brink of collapse. The risk of relegation due to debt was shaking one of the icons of French football. Key players were leaving one after another, and the fans' faith was eroding.

Michelle Kang's replacement of John Textor at the top has temporarily stabilized Lyon's finances, but stability on paper doesn't translate into a resurgence on the pitch. Lyon needed a boost, and they found it in a 19-year-old player from Brazil.

The loan deal for Endrick from Real Madrid during the winter transfer window was initially seen as a gamble. No buy-out clause, a short term, and immense pressure. However, this very "temporary" arrangement freed both sides.

Endrick needed playing time, Lyon needed someone capable of pulling them out of their slump. A single phone call from coach Paulo Fonseca connected those two needs.

What followed exceeded all expectations. Five matches, five wins. Five goals, one assist. Endrick needed no adjustment time. He scored on his debut and became the focal point in every Lyon victory.

The style of football that Fonseca built suddenly gained speed, dynamism, and boldness. Lyon no longer played to defend; they played to impose their will.

Endrick's arrival also created an effect off the pitch. Over 16 million social media interactions followed the contract announcement alone. Jerseys bearing his name sold out. Lyon children flocked to the training ground just to get an autograph.

In Brazil, the number of people watching Lyon's matches has skyrocketed, even surpassing Paris Saint-Germain, the team considered the face of Ligue 1 globally. For Lyon, Endrick is not just a striker; he is a media tool, a symbol of a rebirth.

Experts were quick to join the fray. L'Equipe called Endrick a "phenomenon," a "gem," and "a player who makes everything possible." These accolades weren't solely based on his goals.

Endrick runs relentlessly, readily pressing, accepting being marked by two men, enduring rough tackles, yet still maintaining the tempo for the entire team. In the most recent match against Lille, he didn't score or provide an assist, but was the most fouled player and only left the field when completely exhausted. For a teenage player, that's a rare attitude.

More importantly, Endrick is changing Lyon's mindset. A team that once worried about relegation is now talking about titles. Lyon had gone 14 years without a trophy, but with Endrick in the squad, the dream is no longer far-fetched. They are leading the Europa League, have reached the knockout stage of the French Cup, and are beginning to be mentioned as a real challenger, not just a nostalgic name living on the past.

Of course, this story has its limits. Endrick will return to Real Madrid in the summer. Lyon doesn't have a buy-out option, and they understand they are just one chapter in the Brazilian prodigy's longer journey.

But sometimes, a short chapter is enough to change the whole book. Endrick came to Lyon not to build a lasting legacy, but to rekindle faith, an intangible but vital asset for a club undergoing reconstruction.

If Lyon can end this season with a trophy, Endrick will be remembered as the symbol of a turning point. Even if not, what he leaves behind is still valuable: a reminder that football isn't just about money or long-term plans, but also about the right person at the right time. For Lyon, Endrick was that moment.

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Source: https://znews.vn/cu-hich-endrick-giup-lyon-doi-van-post1625484.html