Who is Endrick? Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa, commonly known as Endrick, is a Brazilian football prodigy born on July 21, 2006. At just 16, he has already made a significant impact in the world of football. Starting his journey with Palmeiras' youth team, he quickly became a sensation by scoring 165 goals in 169 games. His senior debut for Palmeiras at 16 years and two months made him the youngest player to appear for the first team. With a transfer to Real Madrid set for 2024, Endrick's future looks incredibly promising. This article delves into 50 fascinating facts about this rising star.
Key Takeaways:
- Endrick, a rising football star, achieved remarkable success at a young age, scoring numerous goals and earning international recognition. His journey from Brazil to Real Madrid is an inspiration to aspiring young athletes.
- Despite facing challenges and criticism, Endrick's talent and determination have propelled him to the top of the football world, with a bright future ahead at Real Madrid. His journey exemplifies the power of resilience and hard work in achieving dreams.
Early Life and Youth Career
Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa, known simply as Endrick, has been turning heads in the football world since his early days. His journey began in Brazil, where he was born on July 21, 2006.
- Birth and Early Life: Endrick was born on July 21, 2006, in Brazil.
- Youth Football Career: He joined the Palmeiras youth team at the age of 11.
- Goal Scoring Record: During his time in the Palmeiras youth team, Endrick scored an astonishing 165 goals in 169 games.
Rise to Prominence
Endrick's talent quickly became evident, leading to significant achievements and recognition on both national and international stages.
- Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior: In 2022, he participated in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, scoring eight goals in seven matches and leading Palmeiras to their first title.
- International Media Attention: His performance in the tournament caught the attention of international media and several major European clubs.
- Senior Debut: Endrick made his senior professional debut for Palmeiras on October 6, 2022, at the age of 16 years and two months.
- Youngest Player for Palmeiras: He became the youngest player to appear for the Palmeiras first team.
- First Goals: Endrick scored his first two goals on October 25, 2022, in a 3-1 win over Athletico Paranaense.
- Second Youngest Goalscorer in Série A: He became the second youngest goalscorer in the history of Brazil's Série A.
- First Trophy with Palmeiras: Endrick achieved his first trophy with the first team by winning the league with three games in hand following a 4-0 home win over Fortaleza on November 2, 2022.
- League Title: He scored his third goal in seven appearances during the match as Palmeiras secured an eleventh league title in club history.
- Most Promising Player in Série A: At the end of the season, Endrick was voted the most promising player in the Série A.
- International Recognition: On October 11, 2023, The Guardian named him one of the best talents born in 2006 worldwide.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite his rapid rise, Endrick faced challenges that tested his resilience and determination.
- Goal Drought: Despite experiencing an extensive goal drought throughout the season, Endrick scored two goals and added an assist on November 1, 2023, in a 4-3 comeback win against Botafogo.
- League Title Win: Palmeiras won their second consecutive league title, with Endrick scoring a goal in a 1-1 draw to Cruzeiro on December 6, 2023.
- Season Goals: He finished the season with eleven goals, the second highest scored in a Serie A season by an under-18 player behind Ronaldo.
International Career
Endrick's talent has also been recognized on the international stage, where he has represented Brazil at various levels.
- Brazilian National Under-17 Team: On March 18, 2022, Endrick was called up to the Brazilian national under-17 team to compete in the Montaigu Tournament in France.
- Top Scorer in Montaigu Tournament: With five goals in four matches, including one against Argentina in the final, Endrick finished as the top scorer and was named best player of the tournament.
- Brazilian National Under-20 Team: Initially included in Brazil's under-20 squad for the 2023 South American Youth Championship in Colombia, he was not released by Palmeiras to participate.
- Brazilian National Under-23 Team: Selected for the Brazil national under-23 team in 2024, he scored twice in seven matches in Olympic qualifying.
- Senior Call-Up: Endrick was selected for the Brazil national team for the first time on November 6, 2023, to participate in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
- Youngest Male Player: He became the youngest male player to secure a senior call-up since Ronaldo in 1994.
- Debut for Brazil: On his debut against Colombia, he became the fourth all-time youngest player and youngest in 57 years to make his debut for Brazil.
- Friendly Match Against England: Endrick scored his first goal for Brazil in a friendly against England at Wembley Stadium on March 23, 2024.
- Second Goal for Brazil: He scored his second goal for Brazil three days later in a 3-3 draw to Spain.
- Copa América Participation: Called up for Brazil to participate in the 2024 Copa América, he made his first start for Brazil, replacing Vinícius Júnior who was suspended, in a quarter-final defeat to Uruguay.
Personal Life and Future Prospects
Endrick's journey is not just about football; his personal life and future prospects also play a significant role in his story.
- Personal Life: In September 2024, Endrick married his girlfriend, Gabriely Miranda.
- Real Madrid Transfer: Signed by Real Madrid for a reported fee of around €35 million, he will join the club in the summer of 2024.
- Market Value: His market value rose to €55 million after the latest Brazilian Serie A market value update, making him the second most valuable player in the world born in 2006, after Warren Zaïre-Emery.
- Goal Scoring Average: Scoring on average once every 45 minutes from his first four caps for the 'Seleção'.
- Palmeiras Career Statistics: Has scored 18 goals in 66 appearances for Palmeiras and is considered one of the most valuable players in the division.
- Campeonato Paulista Final: Scored in both legs of Palmeiras' Campeonato Paulista final win against Água Santa, aged just 16, last April.
Praise and Comparisons
Endrick has received praise from football legends and experts, drawing comparisons to some of the game's greats.
- Ronaldo's Praise: Brazilian legend Ronaldo praised Endrick, saying he is a boy with a very promising future and already acting as a professional.
- Comparison to Neymar: Filippo Silva, a Brazilian football expert, compared Endrick to Neymar but noted that Endrick is clinical in front of goal and extremely strong, already capable of pushing a grown man at age 16.
- Transfermarkt Update: According to Transfermarkt, Endrick’s market value increased by €10 million to take his value to €55 million, making him the most valuable player playing in Brazil.
- Real Madrid Preparation: The forward is already preparing for life in Spain by taking English classes with Sara Duque, a famous teacher to professional footballers.
- Personal Preferences: Endrick prefers going to eat with his family over partying and does not like knowing how much he earns, he just wants to play soccer.
- Inspiration at Real Madrid: He is inspired by Vinícius, Rodrygo, Haaland, and Bellingham at Real Madrid and looks to emulate their skills on the field.
Challenges and Criticism
Despite his success, Endrick has faced challenges and criticism, particularly in high-stakes tournaments.
- Copa América Struggles: Despite his initial success, Endrick faced struggles in the Copa América, losing possession a grand total of 14 times and managing just a solitary shot at goal.
- Expected Goals (xG): His expected goals (xG) total was dismal, reflecting his difficulties in adapting to the highest level of international football.
- Dorival Junior’s Comments: Dorival Junior, the coach who saw Endrick score his first senior goal for Brazil, commented that time will show who this boy might become, and if he keeps up the attitude he has shown up to now, he will be a very important name in Brazilian football and world football.
- Ronaldo’s Advice: Ronaldo advised patience with Endrick, suggesting that he needs time to become a very important name at the highest level.
- Palmeiras Staff’s Impression: Palmeiras staff describe Endrick as being receptive to advice and guidance, highlighting his maturity and competitive instincts.
Social Media and Public Image
Endrick's presence extends beyond the football field, with a significant following on social media and recognition from notable figures.
- Social Media Presence: From having around 100,000 followers across all social media platforms in January 2022, Endrick now has over 15 million followers.
- ESPN Brazil’s Mention: His exploits on the pitch and his profile off it have already caught the eye of some of football's biggest names, including Brazilian legend Ronaldo and Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.
- NBA Finals Mention: Endrick’s name even came up in an NBA Finals news conference when ESPN Brazil asked Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla about Celtics star Jayson Tatum and the pressure he faces.
- Disneyland Visit: Before the Copa América, Endrick visited Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, reflecting his affection for the United States.
Future Prospects
Endrick's future looks bright, with significant interest from top clubs and expectations of continued success.
- Real Madrid’s Biggest Competitors: Real Madrid’s biggest competitors for Endrick’s signature in 2022 were Paris Saint-Germain, highlighting the intense competition for his services.
- Palmeiras Coach’s Comments: Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira called for patience ahead of the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup, suggesting that Endrick needed time to develop.
- Future Prospects: With his exceptional skills and achievements, Endrick is poised to become one of the leading figures in Brazilian and international football, following in the footsteps of legendary players like Ronaldo.
Endrick: A Future Star in the Making
Endrick's journey from a young talent at Palmeiras to a rising star in Brazilian football is nothing short of remarkable. With an impressive goal-scoring record, early senior debut, and international recognition, he's already making headlines. His move to Real Madrid in 2024 marks a significant step in his career, and fans eagerly await his impact in European football. Despite facing challenges like goal droughts and adapting to higher levels of play, Endrick's potential remains undeniable. His dedication, maturity, and ability to learn from legends like Ronaldo and Neymar set him apart. As he continues to grow, both on and off the field, Endrick is poised to become a key figure in football. Keep an eye on this young talent; his journey is just beginning, and the future looks incredibly bright for Endrick.
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