Why is Endrick still on the bench?
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 04.10.25. | 15:34
The Brazilian star is yet to be involved in a Real Madrid game
What is happening with Endrick? He recovered from the hamstring injury he picked up at the Club World Cup last June, but the super-talented Brazilian is still not on the pitch. Xabi Alonso does not have him in his plans. The former Palmeiras wonderkid has spent the last four matches sitting on the bench. Given the competition in the Royals’ attack, with the dominant Kylian Mbappe and fellow Brazilians Vinícius and Rodrygo, along with attacking options like Franco Mastantuono, Jude Bellingham, and Arda Guler, it will be very difficult for the young Brazilian to get minutes. Of the four games he has spent on the bench, he only warmed up on the sidelines in one of them. Last season, under Carlo Ancelotti, he featured in 21 La Liga matches, scoring just one goal, and he also played in other competitions — the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
Even young Gonzalo García, who exploded at the Club World Cup in the USA, is more in the new coach’s plans for Europe’s biggest club. Endrick was given the number 9 shirt, but the young Spaniard is getting playing time. Against Kairat he played 10 minutes, against Atletico only two, and he even started at the Bernabéu against Espanyol. This season, García has had 99 minutes compared to none for Endrick. During the June transfer window, a loan move was considered for the former Palmeiras ace so he could get more games under his belt, but he stayed to fight for minutes. Time is passing, and Endrick is nowhere to be seen in the Royals’ lineup.
The young Brazilian wants to prove himself to his former coach Ancelotti, now Brazil’s national team manager ahead of next year’s World Cup. Perhaps the January transfer window will be an opportunity for him to go out on loan, to fight his way back into the Bernabéu picture and into Brazil’s squad for the upcoming World Cup. Alonso is expected to field the strongest possible lineup against Villarreal today, with Mbappe and Vinícius leading the line, while behind them will be young Mastantuono and Guler. Still sidelined are Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, and Antonio Rüdiger. Will Endrick finally get his chance today?
LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 8
Friday
Osasuna - Getafe 2-1 (1-1)
/Bretones 45+3, Catena 90 - Mayoral 23/
Saturday
15.00: (2.55) Oviedo (3.25) Levante (2.95)
17.15: (2.45) Girona (3.30) Valencia (2.90)
19.30: (1.55) Athletic Bilbao (3.70) Mallorca (7.00)
22.00: (1.45) Real Madrid (5.00) Villareal (6.30)
Sunday
15.00: (2.45) Alaves (3.05) Elche (3.15)
17.15: (7.00) Sevilla (4.50) Barcelona (1.45)
19.30: (2.70) Espanyol (3.10) Betis (2.75)
19.30: (2.05) Sociedad (3.35) Rayo Vallecano (3.80)
22.00: (4.70) Celta (3.60) Atletico Madrid (1.78)
***odds are subject to change***
