Endrick: The Palmeiras Teenager Real Madrid Bought Two Years Before He Could Move

Endrick made his Palmeiras senior debut in October 2022 at 16 years and 2 months. Across the following 18 months he played 81 matches for the club, scored 21 goals, and won the 2023 Campeonato Paulista plus the 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. The Brasileirão title was Palmeiras's third in five years; Endrick scored four of his goals in title-deciding matches.

Brazil senior boss Tite (and then Dorival Júnior) integrated him into the Seleção squad in March 2023, with his first cap at 16 years and 7 months making him the third-youngest Brazil debutant after Pelé and Coutinho. His Wembley brace against England in March 2024 (a 1-0 winner, scored at 17 years and 7 months) was the moment that promised the Real Madrid investment would land.

Endrick joined Real Madrid in July 2024 after his 18th birthday, signing his actual playing contract on 27 July. Carlo Ancelotti's squad already had Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham across the front-four roles; Endrick's first-season minutes profile was always going to be substitute-heavy. His debut Champions League goal against Stuttgart in September 2024 came in his fourth senior appearance.

The 2024-25 La Liga season returned 7 goals from 28 appearances (most as a substitute or in cup competitions). Underlying numbers — minutes-adjusted xG, progressive carries per 90, shots per 90 — placed him in the top decile of La Liga under-21 forwards despite the limited minutes. Xabi Alonso's appointment ahead of 2025-26 was widely expected to give Endrick a clearer rotation role.