Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images
Over 18 months after signing for Real Madrid, Endrick officially joined the club today and was presented in front of the fans and the media at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Merengues had secured his transfer in December 2022 itself but had to wait until he turned 18 before bringing him to the club from Palmeiras and have finally done so.
Endrick was given a rousing welcome by over 40,000 fans at the Santiago Bernabeu, which left him in tears during the presentation event.
Following his presentation, the youngster fielded questions from the media in his first press conference as a Real Madrid player and answered a plethora of questions.
On his feelings upon finally joining Real Madrid
Addressing how he felt about finally securing his dream transfer to Real Madrid, Endrick said:
“Very happy, as I said on the pitch. It’s been a dream since I was a kid to be playing for Real Madrid. I’m very grateful to God, because only God knows what I’ve been through. It’s a very big responsibility.”
When asked why he broke into tears at his presentation, the teenage striker added: “I hadn’t planned it, but I’ve loved Real Madrid since I was a kid. I saw Cristiano Ronaldo and because of him I wanted to know a bit more about Real Madrid.
“Years ago I looked up all the idols, also Butragueño. Since I was a child I was in love with Real Madrid. I didn’t want to cry, but it came from my soul.”
Touching upon how important it is for him and his family to finally arrive at Madrid, Endrick remarked:
“I am very happy, because I want my family, the people around me to be happy. If they are, so am I. Seeing my mother and father crying…. It touched my heart, this is a dream of mine and the family. I hope to celebrate many victories here.”
Further discussing his move to the Santiago Bernabeu, he added: “I’ve been in love with Madrid since I was a kid, I wanted to come here. When the negotiations started, the only thing I asked was if Madrid were in the negotiations. I didn’t care about any other club.
“Thank God I’m at the club I’ve always dreamed of. I hope to be here for the rest of my career.”
On how he felt about the presentation ceremony, Endrick said: “I didn’t expect so many people. I just arrived and when I got to the pitch and saw it full, I thought: ‘These fans are incredible’. They have received me very well. I’m very happy.
“It’s super special that the stadium was shouting my name. For me and my family.”
Endrick even went on to insist that he hopes to stay at Real Madrid his entire life, saying: “I’ve always wanted Real Madrid. I’ve been signing for a long time. I hope to stay here for the rest of my life.
“I’m happy to have been able to sign with the presi. For me, three hours is a lot and when I was going to the dressing room it was two and a half hours and it seemed like a world. What I want is to stay here forever.”
On his teammates
Endrick will be sharing the dressing room with three other Brazilians in the form of Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo Goes, and Eder Militao.
Discussing the support he has received from them, he said: “They have helped me a lot. They also told me about Real Madrid. They told me about the training sessions, the matches. I was focused on the Copa America, but I hope we can talk even more and we can have a strong friendship to help Madrid.”
When further probed about what advice they had given him, the youngster responded by saying:
“We’ve talked a lot about what could happen. About the winter, about the heat. Also about personal things, about Madrid, about the pitches, a lot of things. But I’m very calm and happy. That’s what makes me feel good. I’m looking forward to playing in Madrid.”
On whether he feels the pressure of playing for Real Madrid at the tender age of only 18, Endrick insisted that he is ready for the responsibility and will rely on his seniors for help.
“If God has given me this responsibility, it’s because he knows that I can be here. Now I have to learn, to work. And God willing, I’ll always have the advice of Vini, of Courtois… What I have to do is learn. The more I learn, the better,” he said.
Role at Real Madrid, adaptation and objectives
Given the competition for places in the Real Madrid attack, Endrick was asked if he had spoken to manager Carlo Ancelotti about his role and position and whether those thoughts had bothered him. In response, he said:
“Honestly, I don’t know what I did yesterday or the day before. I’m just amazed, because today was crazy, something wonderful in my life. I went to the hospital and I was very happy. When I signed, here… I don’t think about other things. I would like to live today, which is wonderful.”
On being asked how he plans to convince Ancelotti to earn a spot in the starting XI, the 18-year-old replied:
“I can’t focus on those things. I can only say that I’m very happy at Madrid. I will learn a lot from great players and I just want to help them and follow their advice. Now I’m focused on that, on learning and helping.”
Both Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo also arrived at Real Madrid at a young age and forged a path for themselves, and now Endrick aims to create his own story at the club.
“Vinicius and Rodrygo came when they were 18 and so did I, but everyone has their own life. We can’t compare. What matters is to be here at Madrid,” he said.
Vinicius had a slow start upon arriving at Real Madrid and went through some tough situations. When asked if he too was prepared to go through such pressure and scrutiny, Endrick said:
“Madrid is a very big club, a wonderful club. I’m here to help and learn, and I hope I can have a good season. Vini has had his career, wonderful, and I hope he can continue. He always helps me, but nobody here knows what will happen. I leave everything in God’s hands.”
On whether adapting to European football will be a big challenge for him, the youngster replied:
“It’s different. I had the chance to play against Spain at the Bernabeu. I was able to score and I could already see the speed of the games. You can see the speed of the game. They are different ways of playing. Now I’m going to train a lot and work hard.”
Endrick then went on to state that he wishes to win all the trophies possible with Los Blancos, saying:
“If possible, everything. I want to help Madrid win. The more titles we win, the better. I hope I can help to win different titles and make us win more trophies. I will try to win everything.”
The youngster went on to insist that he hopes to score many goals and receive the cheer and applause of the fans as he did at the presentation today.
“After today I’m very happy. When I saw the whole stadium shouting my name…. I hope I can help, either by scoring or assisting. The important thing is to help and that’s what I’m looking for. I hope to score and dedicate it to the fans.”
When asked how he had developed such a strong mentality at a young age, Endrick said:
“I’m a player who doesn’t pay a lot of attention to goals, to assists. And that means helping the team. One of the things I like the most is scoring goals. I hope to do that and run for my team, help them. Whether it’s goals, assists, running. That’s my mentality. It won’t be any different here.”
Source: RMTV
