La Liga
Brazil Teenager Endrick Officially Joins Real Madrid After Turning 18
Brazil teenager, Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa, has been unveiled as Real Madrid’s latest signing at the Bernabéu, days after he signed his contract with the Champions League holders.
In December 2022, Madrid reached an agreement to sign Endrick from Palmeiras, but he won’t be able to officially join the club until he turns 18 on July 21, 2024.
The 18-year-old was visibly emotional at the public presentation at the stadium, telling fans he has long dreamed of playing for the reigning La Liga champions as his parents were also in tears in attendance.
“This is crazy,” Endrick said. “I am so happy, since I was a kid I have always been a Madrid fan and now I am going to play for Madrid.
“I am here, I am going to play, I am so happy, my family is as well. I don’t have words to describe what I am feeling. I always wanted to be here. I wanted to play for Madrid. It was a dream. Today it is a reality.
“I am grateful to everyone. Now we are going to sing a chant together, I am sure you will all sing with me: Three, two, one… ‘Hala Madrid.’
“I won’t lie, I did not expect all this, so many people.”
Endrick talks about his dreams
There are more than 40,000 fans were at the event. Madrid president Florentino Perez welcomed his team’s latest young talent.
Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa with Florentino Pérez during his presentation
“This moment was what you dreamed of as a child,” he said. “That conviction has led you to fulfill a lifetime dream. That dream you had when you were only nine years old with the Real Madrid Foundation.
“Your play and goals already bring fans to their feet and Madrid are delighted to have you as part of the family.”
Following his unveiling, Endrick held a news conference at the Bernabéu, where he shared that his admiration for Los Blancos was fueled by the team’s record goalscorer, Cristiano Ronaldo.
He also expressed that the emotion of the moment overwhelmed him while he was on the pitch during the unveiling.
“It [the tears] wasn’t planned, but as I said, since I was young, I have loved Real Madrid,” Endrick said. “Firstly because I saw Cristiano Ronaldo and that’s initially why I wanted to know more about the club and started looking back at all the stars that have been here.
“I have been enamored by Madrid since then. I didn’t want to cry, but it came from the soul. I hope we can now create history together.”
He added that his parents tears during the event “touched his heart,” saying he “would not be here without them.”
Endrick featured for Brazil at this summer’s Copa América, starting and playing 90 minutes in their penalty shootout defeat to Uruguay in the competition’s quarterfinals.
During the news conference, he mentioned that he had extensive conversations with his new teammates Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Éder Militão regarding his transfer.
“[They] have helped me a lot,” Endrick said. “They have spoken about the club as the moment arrived to come here, about training and games. I was focused on the Copa América so now I hope we can speak more and build a strong friendship for the benefit of Real Madrid, which is what is important.”
Real Madrid preseason and season schedule
The player did not expect to join the Real Madrid squad as they embark on their pre-season tour of the United States this month, where they are scheduled to play three matches against AC Milan, Barcelona, and Chelsea.
Madrid’s first competitive fixture of 2024-25 is the UEFA Super Cup, where the Champions League winners will play Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw, on Aug. 14.
Florentino Pérez showing Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa Real Madrid trophy cabinet
They take on Mallorca in their opening game of the new La Liga season on Aug 18.
Endrick will wear the No. 16 as he competes for a place in the Real Madrid attack alongside his fellow Brazilians Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, as well as another new signing, Kylian Mbappé.
Real Madrid scouts for Brazilian young talents
He is the most recent teenage Brazilian talent recognized by Madrid and chief scout Juni Calafat, following the agreements made for then 16-year-old Vinícius in 2017 and Rodrygo 17 years old the following year.
Endrick has been much hyped since becoming the youngest player to feature for Palmeiras, making his first team debut at age 16 years, two months, and 16 days in October 2022.
In December 2022, Madrid announced that they had reached a deal with Endrick, beating several top European clubs, including Barcelona and Paris-Germain, in the competition for his signature.
Palmeiras called it the biggest transfer in Brazilian football history, the deal was worth a total of €72 million ($79m), including variables and taxes.
Endrick made his debut for the national team in November 2023, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Colombia.
He scored in Brazil’s 1-0 friendly win over England at Wembley on March 23 and again in a 3-3 draw with Spain on March 26, earning a call-up to their squad for the Copa América.
Brazil Endrick scored the winning goal against England at the Wembley Stadium
There, he was restricted to just one start and three substitute appearances, in a disappointing Copa America tournament for the five-time World Cup
