16 year old Endrick Felipe Moreira has become the most expensive Brazilian teenager ever, after signing an initial three year deal to join Real Madrid from Palmeiras. The U-17 international cannot join the 'Los Blancos' until June 2024, when he will be 18.
Who is the Teenage Sensation?
Born in Brasilia into a poor family, Endrick was destined to become a professional footballer in order to help support his impoverished mother and father. Aged 11 he joined Brazilian giants Palmeiras and instantly attracted attention to himself, scoring 165 goals in 169 games at youth level.
In addition in 2020 he announced himself as a true Palmeiras icon, after his seven goals helped his side win their first ever Copihna trophy in 53 years. The forward was named player of the tournament.
He demonstrated that he was not just a promising academy player whose stardom was short-lived, Endrick made 25 goal contributions in 24 appearances combined for the U17's and U20's. The Brazilian currently has scored five goals in four appearances for the Brazil U-17's too.
In 2022 aged just 16 years 2 months and 16 days, Endrick became the youngest ever appearance maker and goalscorer at senior level for Palmeiras. He completed the 2022 Serie A season with three goals in seven games, as his side won their ninth title.
Real Madrid, beneficiaries of scouting in Brazil previously with the discovery of hidden gems Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, wasted no time in pursuing the versatile attacker and beat a host of clubs such as Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona to his signature.
What is his playing style?
Endrick is able to play anywhere along the frontline, either on the wing or in a centre forward position. While, his Brazilian counterparts like Ronaldinho, Neymar and Vinicius Junior entertain on the pitch with their exuberant flair and trickery Endrick differs. He is a strong and powerful player whose stocky frame and short height (5ft 8) make him the perfect powerhouse. And yet similar to Ronaldo, he still possesses composure and silkiness where he is fast and unpredictable.
On the attack his direct runs and intelligent movement, make him a handful for defenders while on the wing he has the capability of cutting in on his left-foot and shooting. One of the reasons he has been so clinical in front of goal at such a young age is his patience and vision where he knows when to arrive into the box. As well, he inherits a lethal left-foot where he is not afraid of shooting from long-range or trying the spectacular.
He should suit the Real Madrid tactic's too, while at Palmeiras he has been accustomed to executing a high-press similar to the renowned gegenpressing. This has proven his high work-rate levels and stamina which are integral traits to have in Carlo Ancelotti's La Liga winning side.
Who is his inspiration?
It seems he will fit in well at Real Madrid, because the young talent in a recent interview with Marca revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo was his idol growing up;
"Cristiano Ronaldo, a spectacular man, a phenomenon. I have to follow in his footsteps"
Brazilian fans might have hoped to have heard him say R9 rather than CR7
Is he really worth £72m?
Yes okay I sound like a broken-record, how can a 16 year old who should be studying for his GCSE's be worth £72m. The price tag unfortunately reflects the ridiculous inflation of the modern game, but it does seem unfathomable that Real Madrid have signing a player they cannot use for two years.
The brilliance of this deal will be that Endrick will continue developing in Brazil until 2024 which will gift him game time and experience, as well he will avoid the loophole of academy players being lost in the loan cycle. However, his future is really difficult to predict because Endrick remains relatively untested at senior level, especially in a top European league and Real Madrid have a history of wasting teenage progidies such as Takefusa Kubo and Martin Odegaard.
However, there is the potential that they have signed a superstar and with the proof it does work in Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, it is possible Endrick could become a true great at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The only problem, you'll be waiting a while to see it.
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