The future of Endrick at Real Madrid is still one of the unknowns to be resolved in the coming months. The young Brazilian player does not enjoy excessive prominence, but he has always said that he wants to succeed in the white shirt, something he demonstrates every time he has the opportunity.
Before the cup tie, Ancelotti sent a clear message to Endrick when asked if he would get a chance to play. “He’s not worried, he’s happy, working hard and when I can I’ll give him some minutes. He’s always made the most of them and I can see he’s calm. Tomorrow he’ll have a chance because he did very well in the cup”.
The coach also said in the run-up to the Copa del Rey about the Brazilian that “I’m taking him into account. It depends on many things. Beyond the competition, he lacks nothing. It’s a problem of competition. Players who are of an extreme quality. I think the history of this club says that many starters have sat on the bench for a long time. Vinicius, a couple of years, Rodrygo, Valverde, Camavinga. If you want to be at Real Madrid it’s customary to spend some time on the bench”.
The Copa del Rey is the Brazilian’s favorite competition and Ancelotti, aware of this, chose to give him some playing time and start him in the starting eleven leaving Mbappé on the bench at the Santiago Bernabéu. The coach opted for a Brazilian trident with Rodrygo and Vinicius accompanying the white number 16.
Endrick once again demonstrated his great talent against Real Sociedad with a bicycle kick and a great goal to equalize the match when Madrid were having the worst of it. It all started with him breaking free to show his top speed and set up Vinicius to make the pass he needed.
Vinicius made an outside pass to Endrick who, completely unmarked, finished perfectly with a gentle chip. The Brazilian waited for the Real Sociedad goalkeeper to commit himself before finishing, reminiscent of D. Raúl González Blanco.
Throughout the game, the 18-year-old showed that the Italian coach can count on him for the big games. Endrick was everywhere on the pitch, always asking for the ball, getting away from his man… From the first moment, the Brazilian looked for the opposition goal, finishing off all the moves that went through his feet near the area, including an overhead kick that amazed the stadium and was inches away from going in.
Without doubt he was one of the best players on the pitch and, based on the good football that Real Madrid sometimes lack, he is vying for a place in Ancelotti’s starting eleven.