DID YOU KNOW? CARLO ANCELOTTI’S PRIVATE ADVICE THAT CONVINCED ENDRICK TO LEAVE MADRID
Real Madrid’s Endrick completes loan to Lyon. Read his thoughts on Xabi Alonso, Ancelotti’s advice, and his 2026 World Cup goals.
Real Madrid just let Endrick, their teenage striker, leave on loan to Olympique Lyon until the end of the season.
The young Brazilian had barely played since coming back from injury in September. Xabi Alonso, the manager, kept him mostly on the bench.
So, the club decided it was better for Endrick to get regular minutes somewhere else. He needs to keep growing as a player and wants to fight for a spot in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Endrick, now 19, has already been training with Lyon for over a week. Today, the club introduced him to the media, and he sounded pretty excited about this new chapter.
Talking about why he picked Lyon, Endrick said, “When Lyon reached out, it was a big deal for me, my wife, and my family. My manager, Fred, and I agreed it was the right move. I want to play, and I feel like this is where I need to be. My heart’s in Lyon now. I’ll work hard for this team, and I’m grateful to everyone at the club for making this happen.”
He also mentioned how touched he was by the warm welcome. “It meant a lot to see how excited the fans were. Some even travelled just so I could sign shirts for them. That really got to me. My arrival here puts more eyes on Lyon and Ligue 1 back in Brazil. More young people will be watching what happens in France. I love connecting with supporters and feeling all this energy.”
Reflecting on his last six months at Real Madrid, Endrick stayed positive. “Honestly, those were the best six months of my life. I spent time with my wife. I built my house. Without those things and my family, I’m nothing. I feel more mature now, more focused. I’m grateful to everyone who’s been with me. Seriously, those months meant everything.”
When talk of the loan move started swirling in the press, Endrick said it became a bit of a running joke in the Madrid locker room. “The rumours came out, and my teammates kept asking if I was leaving. We laughed about it. I talked to a few of them about what was being said.”
He also spoke with Carlo Ancelotti, the former Madrid boss and now Brazil’s head coach. “I talked to Ancelotti, and he gave me advice on how to get better as a player. His words really stuck with me. He told me, ‘Go, develop your football, be happy.’ I’d already made my decision, but what he said mattered. Ancelotti helped me a lot at Madrid. Now it’s on me to help Lyon win.”
As for his goals, Endrick kept it simple: “I want to help Lyon win trophies and finish strong in Ligue 1. Of course, everyone dreams of playing for Brazil. I’ve already had the chance to debut and score for them. I haven’t been called up recently, but I’ll do everything I can to wear that shirt again.”
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK
Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.
Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.
Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.
People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.
This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.
Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.
Must Read
