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Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has emphasized the importance of consistent playing time for young talents like Endrick in order for them to grow as footballers.
The 20-year-old has been named in Ancelotti's squad for the September-October international window, but was singled out by the coach as an example of a player who needs to "progress."
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Seleção's friendly matches against Australia and India, Ancelotti cited Endrick as a case study of Brazilian youngsters heading to Europe prematurely and finding themselves starved of playing opportunities.
"The issue for Brazilian players is that they cannot improve because they are not playing," the coach said. "It is happening with Endrick, but also with other talents like Estêvão: they move to Europe at 18 or 19, they join top clubs and cannot break into the team.
"Without game time, they cannot develop. We have very exciting young players and we need to monitor their progress carefully,"
He added on a more optimistic note: "Endrick will become a key player for the national team down the line."
Endrick's Difficult Time in Europe
Endrick's situation has sparked considerable debate among both Brazil and Real Madrid supporters since the youngster completed his move to Spain upon turning 18 in the summer of 2024.
Madrid splashed out significantly to acquire one of South America's most exciting attacking prospects—up to €60 million ($68.75 million) including bonuses—and integrated Endrick into their senior squad.
The striker, who had drawn bold comparisons to Ronaldo—R9—and even Pelé back home, endured a difficult debut season at the Bernabéu.
In 2025–26, his minutes dried up further under Xabi Alonso, leading to a loan spell at Lyon, where he performed well enough to earn a place in Brazil's World Cup squad.
This season, the additions of new recruits like Yan Diomande and Carlos Espí, combined with the appointment of José Mourinho as manager, have pushed Endrick even further down the depth chart, with just a single substitute appearance to his name in 2026–27 so far.
Why Ancelotti Is Partially to Blame
While Ancelotti's view that Endrick and his fellow Brazilian youngsters need more playing time is valid, it conveniently ignores the role he himself played in limiting the forward's opportunities.
Under Ancelotti's management, Endrick accumulated just 352 minutes in La Liga, making only three starts for Real Madrid throughout 2024–25—despite catching the eye in the Copa del Rey with five goals in six outings.
Ancelotti's handling of Endrick became a talking point once again at the 2026 World Cup, with the manager seemingly reluctant to deploy the youngster even as Brazil struggled to find their rhythm in attack.
Endrick was left unused entirely in Brazil's opening game against Morocco, before making 26-minute and eight-minute substitute appearances against Haiti and Scotland respectively.
His persistent exclusion—despite widespread public demand—spawned a viral meme trend, with social media users flooding their feeds with endlessly creative scenarios depicting Ancelotti sabotaging the player's career.
Endrick ultimately failed to start a single World Cup fixture, though he did make an impact as a second-half substitute against Japan in the round of 32, before coming off the bench again in Brazil's round of 16 defeat to Norway.
What Next for Endrick?
First-team opportunities at Real Madrid appear just as scarce heading into this season.
Many had anticipated that the former Palmeiras forward would earn more minutes on the right flank—a position he filled with distinction during his loan at Lyon—but that has yet to materialize, with Arda Güler, Yan Diomande, and Brahim Díaz all seemingly ranked above him in the squad hierarchy.
He nonetheless remains a highly sought-after young talent and attracted interest from multiple Premier League clubs in the closing stages of the summer transfer window.
Looking to the winter, Serie A clubs including AC Milan and Roma are said to be keeping tabs on the forward ahead of a potential loan move in January.