Real Madrid's Striker Dilemma: Gonzalo Garcia or Endrick for the Backup Role?
Gonzalo García and Endrick are competing for a regular spot in Xabi Alonso's revamped Real Madrid squad.
Throughout the 2024–25 campaign, Real Madrid lacked a reliable substitute striker to inject energy from the substitutes' bench. Rather than giving opportunities to his younger talents, Carlo Ancelotti depended on experienced players to deliver results in every tournament, a strategy that eventually proved unsuccessful.
As promising players like Arda Güler, Endrick and Gonzalo García were confined to substitute roles or minimal playing time, Real Madrid endured a disappointing season without securing any significant silverware. However, Xabi Alonso's appointment offers these gifted youngsters fresh chances to establish themselves in Los Blancos' starting eleven.
Güler appears to have already secured his position in Alonso's formation, while García and Endrick are vying to become Real Madrid's secondary striker option. Although the Brazilian hasn't played under his new manager due to fitness issues, García has delivered impressive performances during the FIFA Club World Cup.
As the 2025–26 La Liga campaign draws near, Alonso must choose which of his two promising forwards will support Kylian Mbappé as the alternative striker.
Gonzalo García Profile: The Real Madrid Castilla Graduate Making His Mark
García's emergence might seem sudden, but the forward has been part of Real Madrid since 2014. The Spanish player joined the organization at just 10 years old and dedicated the following seven years advancing through Los Blancos' academy system before representing Real Madrid Castilla.
Working under club icon Raúl's guidance, García netted 30 times in 73 matches for Real Madrid Castilla. The striker's outstanding displays secured him two senior team opportunities under Ancelotti during the 2023–24 season, though he only played for 17 minutes total.
When numerous injuries affected Real Madrid in the 2024–25 season, García received another chance to join the senior squad. The 20-year-old made his presence known with a dramatic late winner at the Santiago Bernabéu against Leganés, propelling Los Blancos into the Copa del Rey semifinals.
García subsequently made three additional appearances during Ancelotti's final season, contributing his first La Liga goal along the way. His genuine breakthrough occurred under Alonso during the Club World Cup, where he has been selected for all four of Real Madrid's matches and contributed three goals plus one assist.
Endrick Profile: The Young Talent Compared to the Next Pelé
In 2022, Endrick joined the ranks of Brazilian prodigies signing with Real Madrid. The Spanish club acquired the Palmeiras striker when he was merely 16 years old, then brought him to Madrid once he reached the appropriate age.
During his two-year stint with the Brazilian club, he managed 21 goals across 82 matches. At 17 years and 246 days, he also achieved the record as the youngest scorer to net a goal in an international fixture at Wembley Stadium; the youngster scored Brazil's decisive goal against England during a friendly match in March 2024.
Four months following that memorable achievement, Endrick officially became a Real Madrid player and prepared for the 2024–25 campaign. He launched his Madrid career impressively, finding the net in both his La Liga and Champions League first appearances.
However, what ensued was a disappointing inaugural season characterized by irregular playing time under former manager Ancelotti. The forward concluded the season with merely seven goals in 37 total appearances across various competitions.
Gonzalo García vs. Endrick: Complete Real Madrid Performance Data
Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
Gonzalo García | 10 | Four | Two |
Endrick | 37 | Seven | Zero |
While both young prospects may not boast impressive scoring statistics, they have each delivered during crucial moments for Real Madrid. Recently, García advanced Los Blancos to the Club World Cup quarterfinals with his decisive goal against Juventus. He currently tops the team's scoring chart under Xabi Alonso's management.
Endrick, conversely, played a vital role in Real Madrid's journey to the 2024–2025 Copa del Rey final. The teenager scored twice in added time against Celta Vigo during the round of 16, netted against Leganés in the quarterfinals, and contributed two goals over both semifinal legs versus Real Sociedad.
Endrick's Copa del Rey contributions give him an advantage over García in terms of goal production. The former Palmeiras player has scored seven times compared to García's four goals; while Endrick has played 27 more matches than the Real Madrid Castilla graduate, 15 of those appearances lasted under 10 minutes.
Apart from goalscoring, García surpasses Endrick in creating opportunities for teammates. The 21-year-old has already provided two assists for Real Madrid goals despite his limited chances, while Endrick has yet to register an assist in Madrid colors.
Who Deserves to Be Real Madrid's Secondary Striker?
It's extremely difficult to argue against García following his exceptional Club World Cup performances. The Spanish forward has contributed a goal or assist in every appearance during the tournament in the United States, leading Real Madrid through the competition while Mbappé was unavailable.
Beyond his attacking contributions, the striker represents exactly what Real Madrid lacked last season after losing Joselu—an intelligent, clinical number 9 with natural box presence, excellent positioning, and commendable defensive work rate. He also possesses the awareness to set up teammates rather than constantly seeking personal glory, an area where Endrick struggled during his first season.
Certainly, Endrick's natural ability and left-footed technique exceed García's capabilities, but his smaller frame and limited physical strength make him vulnerable to defensive pressure. Numerous opponents last season neutralized the striker through aggressive marking in attacking areas, effectively silencing him in many matches.
Endrick also frequently displayed tunnel vision when in possession, attempting shots whenever minimal space appeared. While his individual focus occasionally succeeded, it primarily resulted in the Brazilian international either wasting chances for surrounding teammates or unnecessarily surrendering possession.
Endrick's prospects remain extremely promising, but he must still refine his approach to surpass García, who has demonstrated his readiness to contribute to Real Madrid's trophy ambitions.