The silent battle for the number 9 shirt at Real Madrid

Gonzalo exploded at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

From Di Stefano, Santillana, Hugo Sánchez, to Benzema and even a brief spell on Cristiano Ronaldo, the number 9 has always been a promise of class and goalscoring efficiency. But now, in the summer of 2025, the big question is not who deserves it, but: what kind of team do Real Madrid want to become in the years to come?

The silent confrontation between two generations

At either end of the scale are Endrick, a €35m signing (which could rise to €72m), and Gonzalo, a Castilla academy graduate who has just stunned Madrid with his explosive performance at the Club World Cup.

Endrick arrived in a blaze of glory, an investment Real had long billed as the “Neymar of the future”. But the Brazilian’s first season revealed the reality that adapting to the fierce environment of Madrid was not easy. Endrick had some memorable moments with Brazil – scoring at Wembley and the Bernabeu in the space of a few days – but in white he was still struggling to find his place, confidence and consistency.

Gonzalo, on the other hand, needs no introduction. Endrick’s injury created a void, and the Castilla man stepped in with form, simplicity and efficiency. Six games, the Golden Boot at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and all the hallmarks of a modern striker: intelligent movement, sharp positioning and, most importantly, taking advantage of opportunities.

Endrick is a young talent of Real Madrid.

The debate over the No. 9 shirt cannot be separated from the strategic and commercial context of Real Madrid. Endrick is a global project. He is not just a player, but part of a plan to conquer the South American market, part of an early transfer strategy - buying young talent before their value explodes. Leaving Endrick on the bench long term, or worse, loaning him out, would send a signal that is contrary to how Real are positioning themselves.

Gonzalo is a homegrown icon. He represents the academy, something Real Madrid have been criticised for not making enough use of. With La Liga increasingly encouraging the use of homegrown talent, pushing Gonzalo out to make room for an unproven talent would raise questions about the club’s priorities.

Rodrygo - the decisive variable

There is an undeniable fact: with Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham, Güler, Brahim and Mastantuono in the squad, it is not easy for both Endrick and Gonzalo to coexist in the same season.

But if Rodrygo leaves – which is still under consideration – the door could open, allowing Xabi Alonso to rotate more flexibly, allowing both players to mature without stepping on each other’s toes.

Gonzalo is expected to stay at Real Madrid for the 2025/26 season.

Two seasons ago, Joselu was the answer to Real Madrid’s “typical” centre-forward problem – someone who could link up, press, score from the air and create rhythm. But when he left, the void was not filled. And the club paid the price in more than a few big games where his coolness in the box was decisive.

At the moment, neither of the two controversial names is a Joselu-style centre-forward. But both Gonzalo and Endrick are being moulded into their own versions that are more suited to the modern game – more mobile, more versatile and more energetic.

Gonzalo doesn't deserve to be loaned out just because he lacks a "brand". And Endrick, if he is pushed out after a season that hasn't had time to explode, will lose a lot of strategic and spiritual value. And more importantly, no one can guarantee that another club can help him develop better than in Madrid - where he is invested and protected.

While Real are still considering, many other teams are ready to offer their hands - regardless of whether it is Endrick or Gonzalo, as long as one of the two is "liberated". But if they leave, Real Madrid also have to accept the risk of losing a precious gem - the 2025/26 season could very well be the year it shines.

The No. 9 shirt may be just a number, but at Real Madrid it represents a choice between the past, the present and the future. And more than a positional dispute, this is Xabi Alonso's first test - not just of his tactical acumen, but also of his man-management acumen and development vision.

Endrick or Gonzalo? Who to keep, who to let go? The answer will not only determine next season's attack, but could also influence the shape of the new Madrid being built from the shadows.

Source: https://znews.vn/cuoc-chien-tham-lang-cho-ao-so-9-tai-real-madrid-post1574297.html