Endrick, the Brazilian teenage sensation, is set to grace the pitch at Wembley, marking his debut on British soil as Brazil faces England. The 17-year-old’s journey to this point has been nothing short of meteoric. At just 15, his prowess caught the eyes of Europe’s elite clubs, and his ascent only accelerated after his senior debut with Palmeiras at 16.
Real Madrid secured Endrick’s signature in December 2022, with plans for him to join the squad after his 18th birthday in July 2024. The deal, reportedly worth £52 million, positions Endrick among the ranks of Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and the young English prodigy Jude Bellingham.
Yet, the path could have led to the Premier League, as revealed by his agent, Frederico Pena. Scouts from three top English clubs were drawn to Endrick’s display at the Montaigu Tournament in France, where he dazzled onlookers, clinching the player of the tournament award and scoring five goals in four matches, leading Brazil to their first victory in the competition since 1984.
Endrick’s tale is one of undeniable talent and the allure of the beautiful game’s grandest stages. As he prepares to showcase his skills at Wembley, the football world watches with bated breath, anticipating the next chapter of this young star’s burgeoning career.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60 "Three English clubs tried to sign Endrick before Real Madrid move 1")
“That was when the world really sat up and took notice,” said Pena.
“People in football already knew about him, but that’s when all of the top clubs came in, Manchester City, Liverpool, Paris St-Germain, Chelsea and, of course, Real Madrid.”
Chelsea Football Club made a significant push to secure the services of Brazilian prodigy Endrick, even going as far as to make his transition to London as seamless as possible. The club’s efforts included an invitation to Endrick’s parents to tour their Cobham training facility, where they met with Chelsea stars Thiago Silva, Jorginho, and Cesar Azpilicueta.
The personal touch extended to locating a local church for the family, demonstrating Chelsea’s commitment to accommodating the player’s off-pitch life. Despite these efforts, the negotiation process hit a snag. Chelsea balked at the idea of paying a hefty fee for a talent who would not don the blue jersey for nearly two years.
Real Madrid, familiar with such long-term investments, having previously struck a deal for Vinicius Jr, capitalized on the stalled talks. The Spanish giants stepped in, and history repeated itself as they successfully reached an agreement for Endrick, mirroring their earlier acquisition from Flamengo.
This narrative of Chelsea’s chase and Real Madrid’s triumph underscores the intricate dance of negotiations in football transfers, where timing, opportunity, and the willingness to invest converge to shape the destinies of clubs and players alike.
“I think Real decided that they were never going to miss another talent like Vini or Endrick after Neymar moved to Barcelona,” said Pena.
“Maybe there is a lesson for Chelsea because they were in front at the start.”