Nine Football Legends verdict on Endrick: ‘He’s going to be better than Romario and Ronaldo’
Brazil teenage prodigy Endrick is fast becoming the hottest property in world football for his freakish exploits on the pitch – and he’s not even arrived at Real Madrid yet.
The 17-year-old joined Palmeiras aged 11 and has been on a path to superstardom ever since, with his obscene potential given a platform to flourish at a steady rate.
Naturally, as they do when it comes to spotting young Brazilian wonderkids, Real managed to win the race for his signature and snap him up in December 2022, for a €60million fee in a deal that would see him head to Madrid in July 2024 upon turning 18.
At the time it sounded insane to be outlaying such a sum of money on a child not even old enough to drive a car, but his development in the time since has shown that Los Blancos were simply ahead of the curve.
By the time Endrick arrives to the Spanish capital, €60m will most likely appear a bargain – hell, it already looks like one.
In 2023, the Brazilian teenager’s performances have gone from strength to strength.
Be it dazzling runs with the ball or goals that defy science, it feels like we’re watching football’s next biggest star emerge in real-time, without trying to pin too much pressure on the kid.
To put it bluntly, Endrick is very bloody good and his first call-up to the senior Brazil national team is a testament to that.
We can’t wait to see him pull on that famous white shirt from next summer onwards, but who cares what we think?
Here are what some of the biggest names in football have had to say about the Selecao’s next star boy.
Rodrygo Goes
Future Real teammate Rodrygo already can’t wait to play with his countryman.
Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena COPE he explained: “We’ll soon have Endrick… he’s very fast, very strong, very explosive. He’s incredible!”
Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti won’t be at Real Madrid to manage Endrick next season, but he’s delighted that the club have managed to secure the Brazilian.
It also didn’t shock him that the 17-year-old is already making the senior Brazil squad: “I am not surprised because he is playing very well. It seems to me an award to a young player who is doing very well in Brazil.”
Vinicius Junior
“I have a very great affection for him,” Vinicius told Brazilian outlet TNT: “I’m always supporting and cheering him on. I’m very happy for his title and for the goal he scored in the final.
“People are waiting for him to arrive [in Madrid] already.”
Ronaldo
Real Madrid and Brazil legend Ronaldo told Twitch that he felt Endrick should’ve made Tite’s squad for the 2022 World Cup.
“I think he is a boy with a very promising future and that he is already acting as a professional. It would be a sensational experience for him and for the future of the national team.
“It’s something that I feel is missing in the Brazilian team. In 2010 (South Africa), Dunga didn’t take Neymar with all of Brazil asking for him, but in 1994 Parreira took me and in 2002 Felipao (Luiz Felipe Scolari) took Kaka.”
As votes of confidence go, one from R9 isn’t bad.
Xavi
Before Real won the race, it was Barcelona and Xavi trying their hardest to snap up Endrick.
In November 2022, he told ESPN that they’d spoken to both Endrick and his father, adding: “We want talented players, and he is a talent, capable of making a difference. He has great finishing, dribbling, and a capacity to make a difference on the pitch.
“He is a player already of the present – playing in the Brazilian league – and also the future.”
Craque Neto
After Real’s deal to sign Endrick was confirmed, former Brazil international and Corinthians midfielder Neto heaped praise on Endrick.
“It’s a pity that we won’t see Endrick a lot here in Brazil. This boy is going to fly. He’s going to be better than Romario and Ronaldo!”
Fernando Diniz
Caretaker Brazil manager Diniz was full of praise when explaining why he called Endrick up to his senior squad.
“He is a player who has the potential to be one of the great talents,” He told reporters: “It’s a reward and a future vision of what this kid can be. A boy born in 2006 producing what he produces catches my attention. And right now he is experiencing his best moment, playing against great teams in Brazil and managing to stand out.”
Gabriel Jesus
Having come through the ranks at Palmeiras himself, Jesus naturally had kind words for the striker.
He told ESPN i: “I’ve been following Endrick a lot. During the time I was training at the academy when I was coming back from injury, Zé Roberto introduced us. Then I saw him on the field… Wow, he’s a star! Phenomenon!
“I’m really rooting for him. I think Palmeiras is doing well to put him in training and take him to games.”
Cafu
The most-capped Brazilian of all time had words of wisdom for Endrick when speaking to Marca, having spotted his potential early on.
“He is a very talented young man. One of the best youngsters to appear in recent years, but when we talk about youngsters you have to be careful. We have a diamond, but if we are not careful it breaks,” He explained.
Labelling him a ‘future phenomenon’ Cafu then added: “He is one of the last great jewels that we have seen in 15 years, but you have to take care of him.”
