Ancelotti Delivers Crucial Guidance to Struggling Endrick as Man Utd Circle Real Madrid Starlet
Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that Endrick should discuss his limited playing opportunities this season with Real Madrid, while keeping the door open for the young player's inclusion in Brazil's 2026 World Cup roster.
Endrick was hailed as the next Pelé after scoring goals for Palmeiras in Brazil starting at age 16. Real Madrid swiftly secured his services in a €60 million deal (£52.9 million, $69.4 million) in December 2022, 19 months before he could officially complete the move, echoing their earlier acquisition of 16-year-old Vinícius Júnior in 2017.
The forward became Brazil's youngest international debutant in 57 years at the close of 2023, and in 2024 found the net in successive matches against England and Spain while still 17. This achievement made Endrick only the second Brazilian after Pelé in the 1950s to score in consecutive Selecão matches before turning 18.
However, the teenage sensation has faced challenges since his arrival in Spain last year. With limited experience, needing adaptation time, and facing intense competition for positions, he managed just three La Liga starts and one Champions League start under Ancelotti in 2024–25—though he did accumulate 37 total appearances throughout the campaign, finding the net seven times.
Following Xabi Alonso's appointment as Ancelotti's successor, along with the unexpected rise of Club World Cup leading scorer Gonzalo García as primary backup to Kylian Mbappé, Endrick's opportunities have become even more scarce. After beginning 2025–26 with an injury that sidelined him for the opening month, he has received just 11 minutes of action and remained on the bench unused in 10 matches across La Liga and Champions League competitions.
"It's crucial for Endrick to return to regular action," stated Ancelotti, now serving as Brazil's national team coach while considering his World Cup squad for seven months ahead, in an interview with local magazine Placar.
"I had a discussion with him early in the season. He was dealing with injury then, but he's recovered now and back in contention. He must consider with his advisors what path serves him best. A conversation with the club is necessary to determine the most suitable arrangement."
Ancelotti offered reassurance to Endrick that missing out on 2026 wouldn't end his World Cup dreams, given his youth: "Endrick remains very young, so this wouldn't be his final World Cup opportunity. He possesses the talent to feature in 2026, but also has chances in 2030, 2034, or potentially 2038. What matters most is returning to regular play and showcasing his abilities."
Man Utd Interested in Endrick—Report
Lyon seems strongly positioned to acquire Endrick during the January transfer window through an initial loan arrangement for the season's remainder. However, the French side isn't alone in pursuing the promising talent. Globo reports interest from Manchester United, who remain in rebuilding mode as they aim to reclaim Premier League dominance by 2027–28.
The interest from Old Trafford reportedly stems from Benjamin Šeško's current injury situation, which though not considered severe, exposes the ongoing shortage of natural depth in the striker position.
However, the proposed role would essentially mean serving as Šeško's understudy, which doesn't align with Endrick's ambitions and therefore isn't compelling enough to divert him from the Lyon opportunity—Globo indicates that discussions this week have essentially "confirmed" that transfer ahead of the approaching winter window.