Endrick's Real Madrid Path Revealed—But Will It Unlock His True Potential?

Endrick's future at Real Madrid appears secure for the time being, with the Brazilian forward's agent brushing aside rumors of a potential January exit from the Santiago Bernabéu despite "a lot of interest" from other clubs.

The 20-year-old spent the latter half of last season on loan at Lyon, netting eight goals across 21 outings. However, he has found game time hard to come by this campaign under José Mourinho, featuring for just four minutes and fueling talk of a possible transfer.

AS Roma, AC Milan and Manchester United have all been mentioned as potential suitors for the Brazil international, who may be tempted to seek consistent first-team football elsewhere.

Speaking to Italian outlet Adnkronos, Alan Redmond, Global Head of Football at Roc Nation Sports International — the agency that represents Endrick — played down the likelihood of an imminent exit.

"In Endrick's case, he's always said he wants to stay at Real Madrid, and I'm convinced that this season, when he gets the chance, he'll score a lot of goals. I can confirm that there was a lot of interest in him in the summer, from various countries, but his goal was never to leave Spain," Redmond said.

He continued: "The financial aspect isn't important; the player evaluates the club's project. We're talking about a player with the qualities to be at Real Madrid—he just needs opportunities.

"Endrick came from a loan spell at Lyon and played very well in France, then he had some problems, and I think it was also quite frustrating for him not to be at his best physically.

"However, the idea has always been to stay in Madrid. We'll see what happens in the future, but honestly, I think he'll stay at Real Madrid for a long time. That's my opinion. I don't think he'll move."

Redmond's remarks indicate that Endrick remains determined to make his mark in the Spanish capital, despite his minimal involvement so far this season. Yet with the young forward having already shown his quality during his time in France, questions linger over whether remaining at the Bernabéu is truly the best path for his development.

For a striker at this point in his career, consistent playing time is vital if he is to reach his full potential. Should opportunities continue to be scarce, another loan move or even a permanent transfer could become an increasingly attractive proposition.

So, how can Endrick work his way into Real Madrid's setup? And if regular first-team football remains elusive, would departing the Spanish giants ultimately serve his career better?

Why Is Endrick Struggling for Minutes at Real Madrid?

Endrick has had a difficult start to the 2026–27 season at Real Madrid, with a combination of injury setbacks and stiff competition for places restricting his chances under José Mourinho.

The Brazilian began the campaign managing a recurring hamstring problem, which kept him out of contention for Madrid's opening four league fixtures. During that period, young Spanish forward Carlos Espí featured on the bench, coming on in three games and finding the net once.

Since Endrick regained fitness in mid-September, however, neither youngster has been handed significant playing time. Both have remained on the bench throughout, making just one appearance each as late substitutes in a 3–2 victory over Elche.

Endrick was brought on at right wing, while Espí entered in his favored central striking role and grabbed the spotlight by netting a stoppage-time winner.

Endrick vs. Espi

For now, Mourinho has two young attacking options vying for minutes, but Espí appears to hold the upper hand as a central striker, especially given his recent contributions. Endrick, meanwhile, is still awaiting a genuine opportunity to show what he can do.

That does not necessarily mean Mourinho has written off the Brazilian. In fact, the Madrid manager previously explained his reasoning for keeping Endrick at the club over the summer, indicating he believes the youngster has a promising future in the Spanish capital.

When asked why he did not sanction Endrick's departure during the summer window, Mourinho told TNT Brazil: "Because of the qualities he possesses, the positions he can play in ... He's a goalscorer and teams need goals. And he'll obviously have plenty of opportunities to play and develop. Then, with the national team, he'll find another manager who can really help him develop."

Mourinho also acknowledged that Endrick was not yet ready for extended spells on the pitch, noting that "he is not in condition to play for more than five or 10 minutes."

That assessment provides some explanation for the forward's limited involvement since his return from injury. However, with chances still difficult to come by and Espí seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order, Endrick will need to make every minute count if he is to cement a place in Mourinho's plans.

How Endrick Can Force his Way into Mourinho's Plans

As noted, Endrick appears to remain part of Mourinho's thinking at Real Madrid, though exactly where he fits into the team's structure is still unclear.

His brief appearance against Elche, during which he was deployed on the right wing, suggests that a wide role could be one avenue. It is a position he has occupied on multiple occasions for both Brazil and Lyon last season, so he has the experience and capability to perform there, even if it is not where he feels most comfortable.

The challenge, however, is that competition on Madrid's right flank is intense. Yan Diomande, Brahim Díaz and Arda Güler are all viable options for Mourinho in that area, while Rodrygo could also re-enter the picture once he recovers from his injury. Breaking into that group will be far from straightforward.

Ironically, his prospects of earning minutes as a central striker may be marginally better, given that Kylian Mbappé and Espí are the only other natural center forwards in the squad. That said, Mbappé is almost certain to feature whenever fit for La Liga and Champions League matches, leaving Endrick with precious few openings in the club's most high-profile fixtures.

That could make the Copa del Rey his most realistic route to regular minutes through the middle, particularly if Mbappé is rested ahead of more critical games. Even so, Endrick would still face competition from Espí for a starting berth.

Endrick is still only 20, and there is ample time for him to grow into the player Madrid envision him becoming. Nevertheless, his short-term outlook remains uncertain. Mourinho may have signaled his belief in the Brazilian's future at the club, but retaining a gifted young striker means little if he is rarely given the chance to play.