Future Real Madrid star Endrick interview to AS: “2024 will be better”

The report had to be delayed by one day. Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa (17-years-old) is staying at the Eurobuilding Hotel and it’s match day. The lobby is crowded with fans: word has spread that the young star is staying there and everyone is on the hunt for an autograph; Real Madrid have had to reinforce security to be able to get him out safely for the match against Villarreal.

The player already knows what awaits him when he arrives in Spain next July; once he turns 18, his deal with Madrid activates. “Honestly I’ve been impressed by everything that surrounds the team,” he tells AS. “I’m passionate about everything, the stadium, the facilities at Valdebebas (training ground), my teammates, the president... I’m very excited and I hope to start my new era soon, but first I want to finish big with Palmeiras,” he adds. Endrick arrives at our meeting escorted by Frederico Pena, his agent who also represents Vinicius, one of the most iNFLuential men in the current market, now allied with the Roc Nation agency.

Endrick’s aura exudes a maturity past his age. He moves with a certain confidence, like someone who completely dominates the scene: as Jesús Álvarez Orihuela’s camera shoots, he smiles to the lens. After each flash, he smiles again, repeating the process over and over again. At his young age, he has already come to terms with the other needs of his profession, the marketing and social network side of things, and he masters them as well he masters the ball.

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‘Merry Christmas and Hala Madrid!’

Endrick takes a close look at the newspapers we’ve taken to show him: he has already been featured on the cover of AS several times. “There will be many more to come,” we tell him, and he smiles proudly. Before the flash of our photographer’s camera goes off again, Frederico Pena has an idea: “Endrick, take the cover you like best...”. He doesn’t think about it. In an instinctive movement, the player takes the only one in which he shares the limelight with Rodrygo and Vinicius: a joint cover that was made on the occasion of his first call-up with Brazil’s senior team, when he made his debut against Colombia and Argentina. Without realising it, he has just made it clear that vanity is not a part of his personality. Above all, he is happy to be at Real Madrid, where his friends Vini and Rodrygo both play.

It’s time to toast to Christmas and the coming year. “No alcohol,” warns his agent, “he’s underage.” His comment elicits a shared, complicit laugh. “Merry Christmas and Hala Madrid!” says Endrick. Do you have a wish?, we ask. “2024 will be even better”, he responds.

Endrick visited Madrid last week. As well as being pleased to meet Ancelotti and new his teammates for next season, he also had the opportunity to start seeing houses. Accompanied by his parents, brother and girlfriend, the young star came from several busy days in Boston, where he attended commercial commitments after a dream end to the season with Palmeiras winning the Brasileirão at the age of 17.

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Endrick completes Madrid medical

Real Madrid had invited him to watch the match against Villarreal in the box. But Los Blancos also took the opportunity to give Endrick some medical tests that will serve to prevent a hypothetical serious injury: another one was done for 2023 (they must be done per calendar year). During the summer, when Endrick reaches the age of 18 (July 21) and his signing becomes effective, he will have to undertake a new test, what would be his regular medical when signing for a new team.

The LaLiga club have secured the player who is breaking all the moulds in Brazil. At the age of 17, he has 11 goals in the domestic championship, one more than the 10 that Neymar scored at the age of 17 with Santos in 2009 and only one less than the 12 that Ronaldo scored with Cruzeiro. But Endrick is now the man of the moment in his country. And a bright future awaits him at Real Madrid. So, as he says, “2024 will be even better”.

As happened with Vinicius, Rodrygo and Camavinga, he has been a personal bet of scout Juni Calafat for Real Madrid. The club signed him for €35 million ($39m) plus €25 million ($28m) in variables. At 18, his signing will become effective and he will sign for six years (three plus three, which avoids the difficulties of FIFA regulations with young players).

Endrick: a commercial star

At this point, at Madrid, they are delighted and have an important role for him in next season’s squad. Endrick does not come to Spain with the same status as Rodrygo or Vinicius, but a much higher one. At 17-years-old, he has lifted two Brazilian championships, playing a starring role in both. As well as this, he is a true commercial icon. After becoming the international image of Sportswear brand New Balance, the Palmeiras striker has signed a million-dollar contract with a major Brazilian pharmaceutical company.

In fact, despite his youth, Endrick already has five official sponsors: New Balance (sneakers and his own clothing line), OdontoCompany (oral hygiene company), HBO Max, Rei do Pitacob (bookmaker) and now Neosaldina (pharmaceutical company). This is very important for Real Madrid, as the image rights of the young player are shared 50/50.

The pact that Madrid made with Endrick for his first months in the team is the same as what happened when Vinicius signed. A verbal agreement (not written) according to which the player will always work with the first team. In the event that it is necessary for him to play with Castilla, if it is difficult for him to play minutes with the first team, it will be at home or near the capital, without long journeys, the same happened with Vinicius. In any case, at Madrid he is more than ready to start playing from the beginning in the first team. When Real Madrid signed him, at the age of 16, Transfermarkt gave him a market value of €20 million ($22m). Just a few months later, he is worth €45 million ($50m). Endrick toasts, with AS, for what is to come.