Things dey turn complicated again for Endrick for Real Madrid. Though e no be new tin for am. For fact, e don dey dis position before and show say e sabi respond.
During im first season wit Los Blancos, under Carlo Ancelotti, e no reach 1,000 minutes for field, but e still score seven goals and add one assist. Im second season start wit di worst possible tin—injury—and Xabi Alonso quickly make am clear say Gonzalo dey ahead of am for pecking order.
E reach point where Madrid arrange winter loan to Lyon so e fit get regular playing time. E make di most of am, finish di second half of season wit eight goals and eight assists. Dat earn am place for World Cup and secure im return to Madrid, wey pay Palmeiras guaranteed $35 million, plus $25 million for performance bonuses.
Now, Endrick once again find imsef for shaky ground. First, for di World Cup, where e don receive far fewer opportunities dan dem expect. E don play only 34 minutes during di group stage, wit Ancelotti giving oda players more prominent roles. For particular, Rayan don become di coach preferred option afta Raphinha injury wey rule am out of di tournament.
Endrick don dey limited to brief late appearances against Haiti and Scotland, and e remain to see how much playing time Ancelotti go give am for di knockout rounds. Dat na im first challenge.
Di next one dey wait back for Madrid, where e must convince new head coach José Mourinho. Mourinho don already make one tin clear to di club: as AS previously report, e want more traditional penalty-box striker for di squad, somebody for di mold of Joselu, to provide cover for Kylian Mbappé. E no be top priority, however, wey mean say der strong chance Madrid no go enter transfer market and go instead hand dat role to Gonzalo.
Di academy product, wey don look almost certain to leave, no longer dey expected to do so. Di final decision go rest wit Mourinho once preseason begin.
Madrid plans for Endrick no don change. Di club still see am as major long-term investment and fully expect am to be part of next season squad. But Gonzalo presence likely to reduce im opportunities.
Endrick fit still see minutes for di right wing while Rodrygo continue to recover from injury, especially wit loan move for Mastantuono wey look increasingly likely. Anoda highly rated Madrid prospect, Mastantuono development no don go as expected so far.
