Young Star Facing Tough Realities at Madrid. The situation for 19-year-old Brazilian forward Endrick at Real Madrid has become increasingly clear this season. He returned from injury over a month ago, yet has not played a single minute under coach Xabi Alonso. Despite being available for seven of the twelve matches since his return, Endrick remains unused. A loan move in January is now gaining real momentum. Reports from Spanish outlet AS suggest Endrick has given the green light for his representatives to explore loan offers ahead of the winter window. While he has not abandoned his long-term ambition of breaking into the first team, the teenager and his camp recognise that if he continues without minutes, a switch may become necessary.
What makes this situation especially pressing is Endrick’s ambition to feature in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Brazil. Regular playing time is now more important to him than continuing to sit on the bench at Madrid. If Madrid are not going to use him, then a club in which he can play regularly is the better option. A Record-Breaker with Big Expectations Endrick’s arrival at Real Madrid came with big headlines and for good reason. He set multiple records in his first season. On his La Liga debut for the club, he scored and became the youngest foreign player ever to score for Real Madrid in Spain’s top flight, aged 18 years and 35 days. Just weeks later, he made his mark at European level.
On 17 September 2024 he scored in the UEFA Champions League against Stuttgart, becoming Real Madrid’s youngest ever scorer in the competition at 18 years and 58 days. Moreover, in the 2024-25 edition of the Copa del Rey he reached five goals in the tournament becoming the first Real Madrid player to do so in a single season since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2012-13. In short: the teenager showed enormous promise, set club records, and still holds a bright future. Yet despite these highlights, his current situation is far from ideal. Why the Loan Talk Has Taken Off. Lack of playing time. Despite being fit and available, Endrick has not played under Xabi Alonso this season. That absence has not gone unnoticed by the player or his team.
World Cup ambition. Endrick wants to feature in Brazil’s squad for 2026. Sitting on the bench at Madrid will not help that cause. He (and his management) believe that making a switch to a club where he plays consistently might boost his international chances. Loan is the practical route. The reports indicate that Endrick has not closed the door at Madrid. He still sees a long-term future there. But he is ready to accept a temporary move if the minutes simply aren’t forthcoming. The emphasis is guaranteed playing time more than anything else. Preference for abroad.
Interestingly, the player is said to prioritise offers from outside Spain. He is less inclined to accept a domestic loan (for example to Getafe CF) because he does not feel comfortable playing for another La Liga club while still under contract with Madrid. That doesn’t mean he will refuse all Spanish offers, but his initial stance leans abroad. What It Means for Endrick & Real Madrid For Endrick, the loan route offers both risk and opportunity. On the one hand, leaving Madrid even temporarily might feel like a step back. On the other, it could give him the match experience he badly needs to progress.
If he goes on loan and plays regularly, he stands a much better chance of being considered for the Brazil team in 2026. For Real Madrid, the situation is also delicate. They invested heavily in the teenager initial fee of around €35 million plus add-ons upwards of €25 million. If he leaves on loan, they must ensure the move is carefully managed so his value is protected and his development continues in line with the club’s plans. At the same time, Madrid must decide how they view him in the short term: as a key prospect for now or someone to gradually integrate over a longer horizon.
The fact that Endrick’s team is already listening to offers signals that alignment between player and club might be strained. If Madrid are not committed to giving him minutes this season, then sending him out makes sense from the player’s perspective and perhaps from Madrid’s too. But Madrid must also consider whether a loan fits their model of developing emerging talent: will the player return sharper, confident and ready to contribute, or will the half-season away reduce his integration chances? Potential vs Reality Endrick remains widely regarded as one of the most exciting young strikers in world football.
His records in his first season demonstrate he can deliver at the highest level. Yet, the reality in elite clubs is different: competition is fierce, and minutes must be earned. Xabi Alonso appears to favour other attacking options this season, meaning Endrick may struggle for game time unless circumstances change (injury, rotation, cup games). For a young player keen to make his mark, stagnation is risky. The January window offers a clear fork in the road. If he stays, he must convince Madrid’s coaching staff that he is ready for serious involvement. If he leaves on loan, he must choose carefully: the right club, the right league, the right role.
For Brazil’s 2026 build-up, it may well be his best short-term path. From a sports-magazine viewpoint, the story of Endrick is compelling: record-setting teenager, expensive transfer, huge expectation but now at a critical juncture. Will he power through and claim his spot at Real Madrid?
