Endrick Thrives at Lyon After Madrid Departure

The 19-year-old forward, Endrick, made only four appearances for Real Madrid before his transfer to Groupama Stadium was approved, reflecting a lack of confidence from coach Xabi Alonso in his current abilities and future potential.

However, Endrick has provided a timely reminder of his capabilities to his parent club. With Alonso now relieved of his coaching responsibilities at Santiago Bernabéu, Endrick remains optimistic about a promising future in the Spanish capital.

Endrick departed Madrid without scoring for the club since April 2025, but he broke that goal drought in spectacular fashion. He netted a confident left-footed volley during his debut for Lyon in a Coupe de France matchup against Lille. Following this, he excelled in his Ligue 1 debut against Brest, showcasing his agility and skill as he maneuvered effortlessly around defenders.

Versatile in his positioning, Endrick can operate both on the wings and through the center. Lyon appears to be maximizing his potential, as evidenced by his remarkable performance against Metz, where he secured a match ball after scoring a hat-trick. He opened the scoring just 11 minutes into the match, added another goal in first-half stoppage time, and completed his hat-trick by converting a penalty in the 87th minute.

Reflecting on his quick adaptation to his new environment, Endrick remarked, “I’m very happy to be back on the pitch and to have my smile back. It’s great, much better than I imagined. I can joke around with the whole team; I’ve gotten to know everyone well, I speak Spanish and English. I feel right at home, and I thank the staff; it’s really great.”

When discussing his choice to join Lyon amidst interest from various clubs across Europe, he noted, “The style of play really appeals to me. It reminds me of Palmeiras’ approach when I played as a false nine. I enjoy contributing both offensively and defensively, and the freedom I have here is invaluable.”

Following Alonso’s dismissal, there were suggestions that Endrick could be recalled to Real Madrid under interim coach Álvaro Arbeloa. Although Madrid held a recall option, it needed to be exercised by January 20. Fortunately for Lyon supporters, Endrick will remain in France for the season, promising much more to come from one of football’s brightest prospects.

His current success may also position him for a chance to represent Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, especially as the national team seeks reliable forwards. While competing for minutes at Madrid alongside stars like Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappé would have limited his role, Endrick is now emerging as a key player at Lyon.

With his first competitive hat-trick recorded, Endrick is regaining confidence after his earlier struggles at Palmeiras. As Lyon pursues Champions League qualification this season, they are set to continue their campaign in the Europa League with a match against PAOK on Thursday.