Endrick left in tears as Real Madrid-bound star's slump hits 10 games

Robin Bairner

• 23 Feb 2023 12:04 GMT
• 3 min read

Endrick was left in tears after he was replaced during Palmeiras’ 2-0 win over Red Bull Bragantino on Wednesday, with the future Real Madrid striker apparently feeling the pressure that has been placed on him.

Aged just 16, Endrick burst onto the scene with Palmeiras, becoming their youngest player and goal scorer.

Real Madrid moved to sign him in a big-money deal for the summer of 2024, when he turns ahead. Los Blancos could potentially pay over €70 million to secure the teenager’s services.

Endrick: Real Madrid's teenager sensation more Haaland than Vini Jr

However, he has struggled to get going in 2023 and suffered a particularly frustrating match against Bragantino as he was withdrawn after an hour in favour of Giovani.

Endrick was seen with tears in his eyes and covered his face with a bid in the dugout.

“It’s true, he covered his face because he cried,” coach Abel Ferreira admitted after the game.

“He has to be calm. Nobody likes criticism. There is tremendous pressure on him to score five or six goals and he’s trying to deal with it himself. The goal will come at the right time. You just have to be calm and keep smiling."

MORE: Is Endrick really worth €72m and no Erling Haaland?!

Endrick’s 10-game slump

Endrick’s numbers do not make for easy reading in 2023.

He has started eight matches and made 10 appearances overall, totalling 625 minutes. He has missed four big chances and has attempted 14 shots on target, half of which have troubled the opposing goalkeeper. Meanwhile, he has won over 35% of his duels.

Given the clear potential that Endrick possesses – and indeed showed in the latter part of 2022 as he broke into the Palmeiras first team – Real Madrid will not be too concerned by his performance levels, but they will, however, want to ease the pressure on their young gem in the weeks ahead.