Fabrizio Romano has reported that Endrick is expected to go out on loan in the January transfer window and while it looks like a bump in the road right now, it could turn out to be a great decision in the short and long term.
Endrick arrived at Real Madrid with high expectations after his performances at Palmeiras. The season before joining Madrid, Endrick established himself as a key figure in their title-winning campaign. He played a major role in decisive matches and became the first player under 18 to reach double figures in Brazil’s top flight since Neymar in 2009, confirming his status as one of the country’s most exciting young talents.
He showed clear potential in his first season, scoring 7 goals and assisting 1 chances despite limited minutes. However, his involvement has stalled in the 2025/26 season. A pre-Club World Cup injury disrupted his momentum, and since returning, he has not been a regular part of Xabi Alonso’s plans.
At 18, Endrick needs consistent football to progress. Sitting behind players like Mbappé, Vinícius, Rodrygo, and now Gonzalo García limits his opportunities to develop match rhythm. A loan move would give him a platform to play regularly, refine his game, and build the physical and tactical sharpness required for long-term success at Madrid. This is not a step backward but a necessary phase in his development.
Real Madrid’s attacking depth makes it difficult for a young forward to earn consistent playing time. Mbappé and Vinícius are automatic starters, while Rodrygo, while not being so guaranteed to start, is adapting well under Alonso’s system. The rise of Gonzalo García has further reduced Endrick’s minutes, partly because Alonso is familiar with Gonzalo from his time observing Castilla but majorly because his performances at the Club World Cup earned him that trust. Gonzalo scored four goals and provided an assist to win the Golden Boot while Endrick was injured, giving him a head start in Alonso’s plans once the season resumed. That familiarity translates into tactical trust, something Endrick is yet to establish with the manager.
In Alonso’s setup, every forward has a defined role within a structured pressing and positional framework. For a young player like Endrick, who is still adjusting to the European tempo and defensive discipline required in Spain, it is difficult to displace more experienced teammates. A loan to a club where he can start regularly would allow him to gain the experience he currently lacks, without the pressure of competing for limited minutes in a title-contending team.
Endrick’s main issue is rhythm. He has shown flashes of quality but lacks consistent minutes to build form and confidence. Training with top players helps, but match experience is what sharpens decision-making, timing, and composure. A loan move would provide regular starts and a chance to develop under less pressure.
Real Madrid’s structure supports this kind of growth. Carvajal became a first-team regular only after his spell at Leverkusen, where he gained experience as a starter. Brahim Díaz also improved significantly during his years at Milan, returning as a more complete player. Endrick can follow a similar path. Regular playing time in a competitive league would allow him to work on his movement, link-up play, and finishing consistency, things that can only improve through repetition in real matches.
At his age, confidence is as important as technical ability. Endrick has spent most of this season waiting for opportunities, which can affect a player’s belief and rhythm. A loan would give him responsibility, the chance to be a main attacking option rather than a rotation piece.
Playing week in, week out would help him rediscover the confidence he had at Palmeiras, where he carried the team at times and performed under pressure. Being trusted to start regularly would rebuild that mindset. It would also help him handle mistakes better, since young forwards improve faster when allowed to learn in real situations instead of being judged after short cameos. For Endrick, steady responsibility is the quickest way to recover momentum and maturity.
A loan would give Endrick the freedom to play, make mistakes, and develop without the constant scrutiny that comes with Real Madrid. At Madrid, every misplaced touch or missed chance is magnified. At a smaller but competitive club, he would have more space to learn and adapt to European football.
A mid-table La Liga club like Real Betis or Real Sociedad would suit him best, as they combine tactical discipline with attacking football. A top 4–6 Ligue 1 side could also work, since French football rewards pace and direct play, areas where Endrick already excels. Bournemouth, Brighton or Fulham in the Premier League would be challenging but educational, offering a balance between physical tests and tactical structure. What matters is that he joins a team where he can start regularly, work under a coach who values development, and build confidence through consistent minutes.
Xabi Alonso prioritizes structure, pressing organization, and positional understanding. His teams depend on players who fit within those tactical demands. Gonzalo García has benefited from Alonso’s familiarity and trust, while Endrick is still learning how to fit into that system.
A loan would help Endrick grow into a player Alonso can rely on. Playing under a coach who emphasizes similar principles, pressing triggers, off-ball discipline, and intelligent movement would prepare him for Madrid’s system. When he returns, he would be sharper both tactically and mentally, with a clearer understanding of what the manager expects. Instead of forcing minutes now, it would make more sense to send him out, let him adapt, and bring him back when he is ready to compete on equal terms.
Real Madrid have shown over time that careful planning with young players pays off. The club does not rush development, especially in attack, where the tactical and mental demands are high. Players like Carvajal and Brahim are examples of how controlled growth outside the club can lead to long-term success within it.
A loan for Endrick would follow that same logic. Madrid’s current front line is settled, and forcing him into a crowded rotation could slow his progress. The club has the luxury of patience, and Endrick has the talent to justify it. By spending one or two seasons gaining experience elsewhere, he would return stronger, more disciplined, and ready to contribute immediately. It is a long-term investment rather than a short-term fix, and Madrid’s history shows that this approach works.
Endrick’s situation is not a failure but a reflection of timing. He is too talented to remain on the bench but too inexperienced to compete weekly at Madrid’s current level. A loan would bridge that gap by giving him regular football, confidence, and tactical maturity.
The goal is not to move him away from Madrid’s project but to prepare him to be part of it. With the right loan, one that challenges him without overwhelming him, Endrick can return ready to fight for a place and justify the expectations that came with his arrival. In simple terms, a short step away from the Bernabéu could be the move that secures his long-term success there.
