Should Carlo Ancelotti start to give Endrick more time?
Endrick seizes every opportunity as if it were his last—and with good reason. So far this season, he has started only four matches: one in the Champions League against Lille (a 1-0 defeat) and three in the Copa del Rey (against Deportiva Minera, Leganés, and Real Sociedad).
Remarkably, after 25 league games, he has yet to start in LaLiga. In total, he has played just 474 minutes, ranking him as the 20th most-used player in the first team (excluding Asencio, who has also surpassed him in playing time).
Yet, whenever he gets on the pitch, he makes his presence felt. He has scored six goals, making him the team’s sixth-highest scorer, and he boasts the best goal-per-minute ratio in the squad—finding the net every 79 minutes.
‘He is fast, powerful, and extremely clinical’
By comparison, Mbappé, the next most efficient, scores every 114 minutes. But beyond the numbers, it’s his attitude that stands out. Despite his impressive form, he remains self-critical, frustrated when he misses chances. After a recent match, he admitted, “I’m a little angry—I could have done better. But by failing, you improve. I’ve always said it: I’m a worker, and I have to keep working.”
Now, the decision lies with Ancelotti, who has been notably reserved in his approach toward the young Brazilian. After Endrick’s goal in San Sebastián, however, the coach was full of praise: “He is a striker with very clear strengths—he is fast, powerful, and extremely clinical. He still needs to improve his ball control, but he has the pace, the shot... He could have even scored a second goal. He’s a spectacular finisher. Very young, but he learns quickly.” The key question remains: is he progressing fast enough to avoid a loan move, or would a temporary switch be the best option for his development?
Could Endrick leave Real Madrid?
Endrick’s representatives acknowledge that, come season’s end, discussions will be necessary—first privately and then with Real Madrid—to determine the best path forward. His ambition has always been to join Madrid and stay, but Mbappé’s presence in the attack presents a major hurdle to his growth. A loan move, allowing him to accumulate valuable minutes elsewhere in Europe, is increasingly being considered a viable alternative.
For now, though, the season is far from over, and Endrick still has time to prove himself in his debut campaign. If Madrid reaches the final stages of all competitions, they could play up to 29 more matches, including the new Club World Cup, which runs from June to July and could add seven more games to the calendar.
Ancelotti, known for his reluctance to rotate, may soon have no choice but to rely on squad depth. Endrick, with each opportunity he takes, strengthens his case for more minutes—and fuels the ongoing debate at Madrid about what to do with him beyond July 2025.