Every step Endrick takes in France is scrutinized in Spain and, naturally, in Brazil too.
His exploits in Ligue 1, where he has already scored five goals and provided one assist in 430 minutes, have generated significant coverage in Brazil’s sports press. The first to welcome it is Carlo Ancelotti, who showed patience with the forward during his first year in Madrid and has great faith in the young attacker.With Endrick, everything remains open when it comes to a World Cup place in a position crowded with candidates but short on truly decisive figures.
To make the World Cup squad, Endrick is competing with players such as Richarlison – also highly regarded by Ancelotti – along with João Pedro and Matheus Cunha. The option of Vitor Roque, now back in Brazil, is losing momentum, while Gabriel Jesus is also being mentioned as he returns from injury. Igor Jesus is another name in the mix. And from that storm of candidates, Endrick’s name is now emerging with force, making him the clear favorite among fans.
The decision to go out on loan to Olympique de Lyon has been crucial in reopening the door to the World Cup for Endrick – a vital step for his sporting development and also for his sponsor, the US brand New Balance.
Ancelotti himself was eager for the teenager to continue his progress. “Yes, I spoke to him at the beginning of this season,” the Italian coach said in early November in an interview with Placar. “He was injured, but now he’s fine, back playing, and he needs to think with his entourage about what’s best. He could play in the 2026 World Cup because he has the required quality, but he could also be at the 2030 World Cup, or 2034, or maybe even 2038,” he added with a laugh. “What’s important is that he plays again and shows his quality.” He wanted him playing – and now he is.
The player understood that Lyon was the ideal destination because it guaranteed him a starting role from day one. At his unveiling, Endrick admitted he had spoken to Ancelotti before making the move. “Yes, I spoke to Ancelotti and he gave me instructions on how to improve as a player. His advice went straight to my heart. He told me: ‘Go, develop your football, I want you to be happy.’”
More recently, he praised the Italian coach in an interview with AS. The relationship between the two is excellent. “I could write a book with everything I learned from Ancelotti. He played at a high level for big clubs and won everything as a coach in several countries. He taught us a lot about the game, but also about football life.”
Endrick has rediscovered his momentum with this loan move to Lyon, which, as he had hoped, has firmly put him back in the shop window. He is closer than ever to the World Cup. The forward was already a sensation with the canarinha when he was just about to turn 18.
He became the fourth-youngest player ever to appear for Brazil’s national team at 17 years, 3 months and 26 days; the fifth-youngest goalscorer at 17 years, 8 months and 2 days; and the second-youngest player to feature in a Copa América at 17 years, 11 months and 4 days. Those numbers placed him close to the benchmarks set by the legend Pelé. Those first appearances – after he had signed for Madrid but before crossing the Atlantic – were unforgettable. He scored on his debut at Wembley against England and then again against Spain at the Bernabéu.
Endrick is clearly touched by something special. They know it in France – and Ancelotti knows it in Brazil too.