Coach Ancelotti Advises Endrick to Leave Real Madrid
“If you want to play in the 2026 World Cup with Brazil, you should leave Real Madrid.” That was the advice given by coach Carlo Ancelotti to his young protégé, Endrick. However, the injured striker—who has also lost his place at the Bernabéu—rejected the suggestion. Ancelotti was direct: Endrick would have a hard time making the World Cup squad if he stayed at Real Madrid.
In truth, Endrick has many reasons to turn down Ancelotti’s advice. He only just turned 19 on July 21. Despite being plagued by injuries, he still managed 7 goals in 847 minutes last season—an average of one goal every 121 minutes, which is not a bad return. More importantly, all doors once seemed wide open for the Brazilian forward.
Wearing the Selecao jersey, he scored against England at Wembley in March 2024—before even turning 18. Just days later, in his debut at his future home ground, the Bernabéu, Endrick found the net against Spain. He also scored on his debuts in La Liga (a 3-0 win over Valladolid) and the Champions League (a 3-1 win over Stuttgart) for Real Madrid.
At that time, it seemed like everything Endrick touched turned to gold. Naturally, Real Madrid wasn’t going to entrust their front line to an 18-year-old. Still, even in the secondary competition—the Copa del Rey—he made a strong impression with 5 goals in 6 matches, helping Los Blancos reach the final.
But Endrick’s fortunes changed after a cruel injury late last season in a match against Sevilla. He missed the FIFA Club World Cup, failed to seize the opportunity left by Kylian Mbappé’s absence due to acute gastritis, and worse yet, had to watch another young striker, Gonzalo Garcia, steal the spotlight. Then, during his honeymoon in Japan, Endrick suffered a relapse of the injury.
Now, even when fully recovered, he may no longer be the first-choice backup for Mbappé. Given the trust new head coach Xabi Alonso has shown in Gonzalo Garcia, it’s likely the 21-year-old will get more chances next season. That’s why Ancelotti—who once mentored Endrick when he arrived at the Bernabéu and now continues to coach him for Brazil—advised him to leave in search of more playing time and a better shot at the 2026 World Cup.
But Endrick refused. It seems he still believes he’s the same golden boy who turned everything to gold in early 2024.