‘Real Madrid signing Endrick the type of player Barcelona need’ - Xavi

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid announced the signing of Endrick from Palmeiras in a deal that could cost Los Blancos up to €72 million – but previously Barcelona coach Xavi has admitted his admiration for a player who has only just turned 16.

Endrick is one of the sensations of the world game presently, having broken into the Palmeiras first team in spectacular fashion, scoring three goals in just six appearances.

Having become the youngest player to both play for and score for the Brazilian club, excitement quickly grew over the teenager, with a string of clubs from England taking a look at a player who will only be able to join Madrid in the summer of 2024 due to FIFA’s age restrictions.

MORE: Who is Endrick? The Real Madrid-bound 16-year-old sensation

Real Madrid and Barcelona had long been following the player in Palmeiras’ youth ranks, and while it was Los Blancos who eventually landed Endrick, Xavi admitted that Barcelona were also tracking him.

Speaking to Gol about the South American some weeks back Xavi said: “We have had discussions with his father and also directly with the player. I explained to them the project we have in Barcelona.

“He already knows the project we have at Barcelona and we are talking about. I hope he becomes our player. It depends on him. It always depends on the player. In general, a player will end up playing where he wants to play."

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Xavi praised Endrick’s ‘brutal’ ability

The Spain legend went on to outline what a fantastic player he believes Endrick can become.

“We want talent and he is a talent, capable of making a difference. He can score goals, he has dribbling, he has a brutal ability to make the difference.

“He is a player of the present, who is already playing in the Brazilian league, and also of the future. He is the type of player we need.”

Endrick’s decision to move to Real Madrid, then, is a bitter blow to Barcelona and their hopes of rebuilding the club.