The Spanish press highlights Endrick’s time at Real Madrid as ‘strange’

The Brazilian striker was loaned to Lyon after having limited playing time in the Real Madrid squad.

Despite being presented at the Santiago Bernabéu in front of 45,000 people and signed for 60 million euros, Endrick left Real Madrid for Lyon on loan. Given this situation, the Spanish newspaper “As” published a detailed analysis of the player’s time at the club. According to the publication, the Brazilian’s situation in Madrid became untenable after he played in only 11% of the total minutes since his arrival in Spain.

The numbers revealed by the newspaper show a contrast between efficiency and lack of opportunities. Endrick boasts an average of one goal every 135 minutes, a performance superior to that of many starters, but this was not enough to convince the coaches who passed through the club during that period. In his first season, under Carlo Ancelotti, he played only 13% of the possible time, even going 196 days without playing for more than 20 minutes in a single match (excluding the Copa del Rey).

“The 18-year-old boy who moved 60 million euros… A diamond that burst into tears in the stadium. But then everything started to go wrong. The balloon deflated. Everything became mysterious,” highlighted the article in the Spanish newspaper.

The publication, titled “The Strange Case of Endrick,” highlighted the arrival of Xabi Alonso as head coach, who, instead of increasing the Brazilian’s playing time, increased his isolation. In the 2025/26 season, Endrick participated in only 4.5% of the minutes (99 out of a possible 2,250). Although he suffered a muscle injury early in the season, the striker was available for 20 matches, but remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes on 15 occasions.

The losing streak was interrupted only by brief 11-minute appearances against Valencia and Manchester City, in addition to a starting position against the modest Talavera in the Copa del Rey. Faced with a lack of prospects at Real Madrid and the desire to play in the 2026 World Cup for the Brazilian national team, the player understood that leaving was necessary.

The solution found was a loan to Lyon until June 2026. To avoid a repeat of the Madrid scenario in France, Real Madrid included a “playing obligation” clause: Lyon must field Endrick in at least 25 matches until the end of the contract, under penalty of a financial fine for Real Madrid.

The agreement does not involve a salary increase, only the pursuit of competitive consistency. After rejecting offers from clubs like Real Sociedad last summer to try and succeed at Real Madrid, Endrick is now focused on regaining his match fitness to secure his place in this year’s World Cup.