Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has publicly urged Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti to give young forward Endrick more minutes on the pitch, Foot Mercato reported.
Following Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Valencia on November 7, Mourinho addressed the situation of the attacker. While Ancelotti has selected Endrick for the upcoming Brazil national team camp, the player has seen limited opportunities at club level, primarily serving as a substitute behind the established Kylian Mbappé.
Speaking at a post-match press conference, Mourinho was direct about his expectations for Endrick. “My position is clear, I want Endrick to play,” he stated. He then directed a message to the Brazil manager, adding, “If Ancelotti plays him during this international break, I will be very happy.”
This intervention has been interpreted as a deliberate act of pressure by Mourinho, who is reportedly concerned about Endrick’s lack of regular first-team action at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Portuguese manager’s comments have placed the young player’s development and current club situation at the forefront of discussions around the team.
Endrick’s club career has been characterized by a secondary role. The sources describe him as being “relegated to a secondary role” at Real Madrid, playing behind the “indisputable” Kylian Mbappé in the attack. Foot Mercato noted that the player, who was loaned to Olympique Lyonnais for the final six months of the previous season, “does not find what he is looking for with the Whites.”
The context of Mourinho’s public statement is a period of strong collective performance for Real Madrid. The team’s dominant 3-0 win over Valencia, secured with goals from Federico Valverde, Arda Güler, and Kylian Mbappé, demonstrates their current form. However, this success does not resolve the debate surrounding Endrick’s playing time, especially with fierce competition for attacking positions.
A key element of this story is the contrast between Endrick’s standing with his club and his national team. While his opportunities at Real Madrid are limited, Carlo Ancelotti, who also manages the Brazil national team, clearly values the young forward. The manager has included him in the squad for the November international break, signaling continued confidence in his abilities at the international level.
This dual role for Ancelotti—managing both Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team—adds a complex layer to the situation. His decision on how to manage Endrick’s development and playing time now has a public dimension, with Mourinho’s comments creating an external factor in the player’s club career.
The immediate next step is the upcoming international break in November. Endrick is expected to join the Brazil national team, where he will have an opportunity to gain valuable match experience under Ancelotti’s guidance. His performance with the Seleção could influence his standing upon his return to Real Madrid.
Following the international break, Real Madrid’s attention will turn to a Liga match against Celta Vigo on November 21, followed by a Champions League encounter with PSV Eindhoven on November 24.
