Endrick must embrace a role on the wing if he is to carve out a place at Real Madrid, where Kylian

Endrick must embrace a role on the wing if he is to carve out a place at Real Madrid, where Kylian Mbappé is in the central attacking position.

Impact at Roma Sparked Tactical Reevaluation

During a 4-3 comeback victory against AS Roma, Endrick entered the match as a substitute in the 30th minute with Real Madrid trailing 3-1. Needing just twelve touches, the young Brazilian forward energized a struggling side through aggressive runs and aerial threats from the right flank, creating two crucial goals. Three separate times during the match, he successfully dribbled past the Roma defense down the right channel, earning man-of-the-match recognition despite playing only a half-hour. Video credit: Eurosport. Three times, Endrick passed the Roma defense by dribble (65e, 78e, 87e) from his right side.

Lyon Precedent and the Central Logjam

While Endrick has frequently stated that playing wide feels unnatural compared to his favored role as a traditional number nine, past tactical deployments suggest otherwise. During a loan spell at Lyon beginning in December 2025, technical director Matthieu Louis-Jean noted the club had long sought a central striker. However, then-manager Paulo Fonseca deployed the Brazilian wide to use his dribbling ability and depth acceleration without demanding heavy defensive pressing. Similar wide deployment occurred during his early development years at Palmeiras. Endrick himself acknowledged the contradiction, stating, “Tous ceux qui connaissent le foot savent que mon poste n’est pas sur le côté droit, c’est ‘camisa nove’ (numéro 9).” His performance at Lyon reinforced Fonseca’s decision, as he was free to dribble, take depth, or cut inside without pressing responsibilities.

Mourinho Rejects Exit Rumors Amid Squad Absences

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho dismissed speculation regarding an imminent departure, stating that any clubs pursuing the forward should abandon hope of a winter loan. Mourinho praised the player’s high potential and importance to the squad, pointing out that an early-season injury sidelined him for over a month. With Vinicius Junior currently serving a four-match suspension, Rodrygo sidelined with an injury, and squad rotation options like Yan Diomandé available, tactical openings along the flanks have widened significantly for the upcoming fixtures. “Qu’ils oublient, qu’ils oublient,” Mourinho declared to TNT Sports Brésil, dismissing loan interest. “Celui qui s’intéresse à Endrick devra se battre avec moi.” Endrick’s 10 minutes under Mourinho prior to the Roma match highlighted his limited first-team opportunities, though his recent impact suggests a shift in tactical consideration.

Mourinho’s Stance on Endrick’s Future

Mourinho reiterated his commitment to Endrick, stating, “Endrick est un joueur que j’adore, que j’apprécie énormément. Il possède un grand potentiel et est très important pour nous.” He emphasized that the player’s role would depend on the team’s needs, adding, “Les entraîneurs ne vont pas faire le meilleur pour un joueur, ils vont faire le meilleur pour l’équipe.” Endrick, for his part, acknowledged the challenges of competing for a central role at Real Madrid, noting, “Être à Madrid est difficile, il faut se battre chaque jour et je vais le faire toute ma carrière.”