Since deciding to a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid’s new star teenage signing hasn’t had the easiest year.

Endrick was the most sought-after player in Brazilian football in October 2022. After years of impressing for the club’s development teams, the attacker, who was 16 at the time, made his top-flight debut for league champions Palmeiras. He scored two goals against Athletico Paranaense later that month to set a new record for the youngest goal scorer in Brazilian Serie A.

Endrick had been sought after by Real Madrid for almost a year, so he wasn’t exactly unknown, but he appeared to be on the cusp of stardom. Los Blancos seized the opportunity as soon as Palmeiras agreed to a deal and paid the Brazilian club €60 million (£52 million/$64 million) to secure his services beginning in the summer of 2024. This was a record payment for a Serie A team.

But for the teenager, things haven’t always gone as planned. In actuality, Endrick has resembled a young athlete still adjusting to the game.Dec. 20, 2022: Real Madrid agreementAfter much rumor and protracted transfer pursuit from several of Europe’s major clubs, Madrid finally managed to sign Palmeiras’ most promising young player for the 2022 World Cup. They paid €60 million (£52 million/$64 million) for the kid, working with the same scout who discovered Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, and Vinicius Jr. to complete the transaction.

The fact that the teenager had just made his team debut two months prior was irrelevant. Madrid spent years pursuing the deal and made a significant investment to secure their man.Palmeiras sell important players in January 2023.The 16-year-old was not, however, assured of a spot in the first team. Not at all. Endrick’s growth would likely be stunted before it even got off the ground at Palmeiras because they had a number of more capable options who appeared likely to keep him off the side.

But after Danilo and Gustavo Scarpa were sold to Nottingham Forest in January, everything changed. Despite neither being a true striker, they carried a substantial portion of the offensive burden. When they left, a space became available for Endrick to succeed.Extended goal drought in the spring of 2023But for the teenager, things didn’t go as planned. Endrick’s problems began almost right away when he reached an agreement with Madrid; the 16-year-old went on a protracted goalless streak. It appeared that most of it was self-inflicted. Endrick seems to be attempting to do too much for his group.

However, the figures were clearly alarming. To begin the season, Endrick started eight out of ten games, failed to contribute to a goal, and squandered four excellent opportunities. It didn’t matter if his team was having trouble scoring goals because there wasn’t much attacking skill around the youngster; he was going to play for Real Madrid soon enough.February 2023: Bench with tears.And it seems to catch up to the child. After going ten games without a goal, Endrick was seen sobbing on the bench. The photo of the future Madridista hiding his eyes went viral.

Abel Ferreira, his manager, came to his client’s defense right away and acknowledged that he ought to “have given Endrick a hug” after removing him from the competition. Despite the pressures caused by the record-breaking transfer cost, the manager urged patience with his star player.

“You must remain composed. Everyone despises criticism. He attempts to handle the immense pressure he is under to score five or six goals on his own. At the appropriate moment, the goal will emerge. After Palmeiras defeated RB Bragantino 2-0, he observed, “You simply have to remain composed and keep grinning.

The Brazilian media also did not help his cause. Endrick was quickly ready to refute the claim that he was “the new Pele,” which had been made in a lot of periodicals and the destructive online community.

Why are there so many stories about me, I wonder sometimes. Endrick stated in a Brazilian GQ interview. “I did not request this. There are some circumstances that go too far. Ah, he’s the new Pele, yet nobody will ever compare to the football legend Pele.

April 2023: A goal drought is endedHis results, however, quickly improved. Endrick went 12 games without scoring, but April was something of a turning point. Ferreira gradually reintroduced him to the lineup, and he was patiently rewarded by the manager with a string of strong outings to start the season. He scored the opening goal of the Serie A season with a deft finish and collected three goals in his first four outings.

But what was more remarkable was that his confidence had returned. A notable instance was a daring run and shimmy through the Agua Santa defense in the Paulista Championship Final, which at the very least demonstrated the existence of a great player.Palmeiras decline to release him for duty in Brazil in May 2023.But there were still problems. Despite publicly requesting to travel to Argentina with the Selecao, Endrick ran into trouble with his own team when they wouldn’t release him.

Vitor Roque, a fellow youngster and upcoming member of Barcelona, was similarly denied the opportunity by his club. Given that they had just won the U20 Copa America and their anticipated importance to Brazil’s chances in the competition. Brazil won their group, but Israel eliminated them in the quarterfinals.Summer 2023: The start of a new droughtMaybe it was normal for a teenager to experience cold spells. And inevitably, it took place once more. The season had a fantastic start, but then the goals stopped coming. Endrick struggled over the summer, failing to score for two months after scoring a critical equalizer against Roque’s Athletico Paranaense in early July. He went scoreless in 12 straight games during this time.

Endrick was benched five different times over the summer, indicating that the manager had basically lost all confidence in him.A horrific tackle in September 2023 nearly ruins his season.

Endrick had room to maneuver back into the side and record a goal as a result. As a result, he was introduced off the bench against Corinthians on September 3. He had a significant effect, providing several opportunities as his team sought a victory.

But neither his dribbling in the final third nor his sharp passes distinguished his performance. Instead, the risky challenge that may have negatively harmed his career will be remembered from the game.

Endrick was left screaming in anguish as Corinthians defender Maycon de Andrade Barberan slammed studs into his knee in the 92nd minute. Madrid will likely be happy to hear that their star player did not experience any significant injuries. However, it might have been the end of a contentious campaign.