Palmeiras president Leila Pereira has revealed she anticipated Endrick's initial struggles at Real Madrid, disclosing a conversation where she cautioned club president Florentino Perez against drawing premature comparisons to Brazilian legend Pele.
The Brazilian wonderkid, who joined Real Madrid for a reported €47.5 million last summer, has found playing time limited in his early days at the Spanish giants, managing just 316 minutes on the field and scoring once. Despite the modest start, Pereira maintains a confident outlook on Endrick's future prospects at the club.
In a revealing interview with The Athletic, Pereira shared her insights on the young striker's situation: "We foresaw that [Endrick's lack of playing time]. He's very young, a young talent, but it's difficult for a kid to come out of Brazil and adapt immediately. He will have patience because he is very determined, focused. He will shine a lot in Real Madrid."
The competition for attacking positions at Real Madrid has intensified, particularly with the arrival of French superstar Kylian Mbappe and the presence of established forwards like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Brahim Diaz. This competitive environment has naturally impacted Endrick's immediate playing opportunities.
Pereira also recounted an intriguing conversation with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, where she had to temper expectations regarding the young striker. "Florentino Perez told me, 'Leila, I have been informed Endrick is better than Pele'. I told him, 'Calm down, president, as nobody else like Pele has ever been born'," she revealed.
Despite the current challenges, Endrick's potential remains evident. The 18-year-old has already shown glimpses of his talent on the international stage, notably scoring for Brazil against England at Wembley last March. While recent speculation had linked him with a potential loan move to Southampton, Pereira has dismissed any possibility of the forward returning to Brazilian football, emphasizing that his adaptation to Madrid is simply a matter of time.
