Endrick Focuses on Lyon Amid Real Madrid Uncertainty

Brazilian sensation Endrick has recently addressed his loan switch to Lyon from Real Madrid and his goals moving forward, just days after making a significant impact with a winning goal in his debut for the French club. The talented teenager, who joined Lyon on loan during the January transfer window, is currently observing the turmoil at his parent club from a distance. With Xabi Alonso’s recent departure from the Bernabeu following a Super Cup defeat to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia, speculation surrounding the future of Real Madrid and its loaned players is rampant.

However, Endrick has firmly dismissed any notions of an early return to Spain, asserting that his sole focus is on reviving his career in Ligue 1. His recent performance, which helped secure a 2-1 victory against Lille in the Coupe de France, exemplifies his commitment to making the most of his time in France.

The decision to join Lyon was not taken lightly, but rather stemmed from a necessity for regular first-team football after a challenging period marred by injury. This setback resulted in his absence from the Club World Cup in the United States, prompting Endrick to seek consistent playing opportunities to regain his form. He acknowledged the significant physical and mental challenges he faced during his rehabilitation, describing the recovery phase as the most demanding part of his journey.

“In our careers, we have to understand that time is very valuable,” he shared with AS. “When we’re starting out, we need to grow, and to grow, we need to play. Recovering from my injury and all the work for my return kept me out for months, and I knew it would be difficult to get a steady run of matches in Spain. The hard part was the recovery.”

Endrick’s move to Lyon was significantly influenced by the club’s rich history with Brazilian players and the compelling vision presented by head coach Paulo Fonseca. The Portuguese manager emphasized a technical, attacking style of play supported by a passionate fanbase, making Lyon an ideal environment for Endrick to rehabilitate and thrive. “I came to France to do what I love. Train and play,” he expressed. “Chasing our dreams is always a good thing.”

Given Real Madrid’s current state of flux following Alonso’s dismissal, many have questioned whether the club might consider recalling players to strengthen a struggling squad. Nevertheless, Endrick was quick to reject suggestions of a premature return. “I just got here!” he laughed. “I haven’t even played my first home game yet. This is not the time to think about going back. At this moment, I don’t need to worry about anything except Lyon.”

Despite the geographical distance, Endrick maintains a strong relationship with Real Madrid, noting that the loan arrangement was made with the club’s full support. “My relationship with Real Madrid hasn’t changed at all,” he emphasized. “Right up until the day I travelled to Lyon, the club provided me with all the support I needed.”

He expressed deep respect for his first manager at Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, highlighting the invaluable lessons learned both on and off the field. “I could write a book about everything I learned from him,” he remarked. “He played at a high level for major clubs and has won everything as a coach in several countries. He taught us so much about the game, but also about the life of a soccer player.”

In contrast, Endrick’s time under Alonso was brief, and he was unable to witness the crucial match in Saudi Arabia that led to the coach’s exit. Nonetheless, he spoke with commendable maturity regarding Alonso, wishing him well for future endeavors. “Xabi was a brilliant player, a world champion, a champion as a coach in Germany, and he’ll soon be at a new club or national team,” he noted.

Looking forward, Endrick aims to impress Ancelotti, who will be leading the Brazilian national team into the World Cup this summer. He has set his sights on consistent improvement, with the ultimate aspiration of securing a place in the squad for the tournament in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. He recognizes that his performances for Lyon will be crucial in determining his selection by the Selecao hierarchy.

“I have one goal each week: to start the next week better than the last one,” he revealed. “I’ve already been with the national team, and if I improve every week, I’ll be better than I was when I was first called up.”