Endrick’s Loan Spell in France: Impact and Future at Real Madrid

Endrick has been thriving in France following his loan transfer during the January window.

The 19-year-old transitioned to Lyon after finding limited opportunities at Real Madrid, where he managed only one La Liga start this season. Since joining Lyon, he has made an impressive debut, contributing an assist in his first match against Brest, followed by a hat-trick in a subsequent game. His performances have sparked speculation that manager Paulo Fonseca may wish to retain him beyond the current season.

In response to these rumors, Endrick’s agent, Freitas, has clarified that the player will be returning to Madrid as planned. He stated to Win Win: “Endrick was loaned to Lyon for six months. The decision has already been made, and Endrick will return to Real Madrid at the end of the season. There is no ambiguity or secret about this. The agreement is strictly a loan, with no option to purchase, so Endrick will indeed return. What will happen next season? I cannot predict that, but I can assure you that at the conclusion of this season, Endrick will once again be a Real Madrid player.”

Freitas also elaborated on why Endrick faced challenges in securing playing time at the Santiago Bernabéu. “Endrick had no issues adapting. He scored in his first Champions League match, his first league match, and his first cup match. His limited minutes at Real Madrid stem from the presence of elite players in the squad; eight of the top ten players globally are at our club. Notable names include Vinícius Júnior, the current FIFA Best award winner, as well as exceptional talents like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. It is entirely expected for an 18-year-old to have limited playing time in such a competitive environment. Additionally, Endrick did not begin the season with the team, missing the trip to the United States for the Club World Cup due to injury. It is common for players who are sidelined for several months at a club like Real Madrid to struggle to regain their footing.”

After a promising start, Endrick recently faced a setback, receiving a red card in a 1-0 victory against Nantes. The incident involved him kicking out at Dehmaine Tabibou, leading to his second yellow card being upgraded to a straight red after a VAR review. Following the match, Fonseca defended Endrick, stating: “For me, it was very harsh. There was a clear foul prior to the incident. The Nantes player did not aim to play the ball but rather to block Endrick. Furthermore, this is the third match where opponents have displayed aggressive behavior towards him. I believed such tactics were behind us, but the intent to intimidate Endrick was evident. Referees must protect talented players like him.”

Endrick is expected to face disciplinary action for the red card, with a ruling anticipated by Wednesday. He will miss at least one match against Nice on Sunday and will hope that the ban does not extend further.