When Real Madrid travels to face Getafe in their first match after the international break, it will have been 154 days—more than 5 months—since Endrick last played a football match.

The 19-year-old Brazilian striker last appeared against Sevilla on May 18, in the penultimate round of last season’s La Liga. Since then, the club saw the departure of coach Carlo Ancelotti and the appointment of Xabi Alonso, Endrick suffered two muscle injuries, was the subject of transfer rumors during the summer window, and was assigned the club’s legendary number 9 shirt.

This is also the third consecutive international break during which Endrick has not been called up to the Brazil national team. His last appearance was in the 4-1 loss to Argentina in March, the day coach Dorival Júnior was dismissed, and Ancelotti left Madrid to coach the Seleção.

Insiders revealed that Alonso explained to Endrick that getting regular playing time this season would be difficult, but Endrick decided to stay at Santiago Bernabéu regardless.

Before the Villarreal match (3-1), in which Endrick was included in the squad but did not play a minute, Alonso said: “There is a lot of competition now, in his position and surrounding positions as well. His time will come.”

So how is he handling this situation? And what plan has the club set for the player they signed for 35 million euros plus 25 million euros in potential bonuses?

First Adaptation Season

Endrick’s first season at Madrid left a positive impression within the club, seen from the start as a period of adaptation and learning. During that first year, especially when he felt ready to take a bigger role, club officials used statistics from other young stars’ early seasons to convince him he was on the right track.

By season’s end, he played 37 official matches across competitions, compared to 31 and 26 matches for Brazilians Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo in their first seasons. Although he played fewer minutes (847 compared to 1,742 and 1,428 respectively), he scored 7 goals, matching Rodrygo’s tally in 2019-2020 and 3 more than Vinícius in his first season.

There was consensus inside the club that Ancelotti’s reluctance to give young players opportunities was a key factor in Endrick’s limited minutes. When asked about Endrick and Turkish player Arda Güler, the Italian said they “have to warm the bench” until they become undisputed starters.

Ancelotti’s departure at the end of that month and Xabi Alonso’s appointment was a new opportunity for young players, but it seems this has not materialized for Endrick.

Injuries and Setbacks

The two muscle injuries had a significant impact. The first was a hamstring injury against Sevilla that kept him out of the Club World Cup.

During his recovery, academy striker Gonzalo García shone in his position at the World Cup, winning the Golden Boot with 4 goals in 6 matches, benefiting from Kylian Mbappé’s absence due to illness for 3 group stage games. Endrick decided to travel to the US at the end of June to be close to the new coach, staff, and teammates.

He began training separately from the group in Miami, where Real Madrid’s camp was held, but in his first session back with the team, he suffered a relapse of the same injury. The club did not issue an official medical statement, and players and staff went on their summer break after losing the semi-final to Paris Saint-Germain on July 9.

This was a major setback for Endrick, who could not return to play before September and had to start over under Alonso’s leadership.

Renewed Personal Life and Ongoing Plan

Upon returning to Madrid, he married his partner Gabrielle Miranda. They held a civil ceremony in Brazil and celebrated at a farm near the Spanish capital with family and friends. The couple honeymooned in Japan, bringing along his personal trainer to continue treatment for his thigh injury.

Meanwhile, rumors about a possible transfer persisted, but those close to him denied any negotiations with the club or plans to loan him to Real Sociedad.

In August, Endrick received good news: he would wear the famous number 9 shirt previously worn by club legends like Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ronaldo Nazário, and Karim Benzema, although he has yet to wear it in an official match. Several reports had suggested the number would be given to Gonzalo García, who was close to renewing his contract with the first team.

In mid-September, club staff confirmed that Alonso and his technical team are closely monitoring his development. However, when asked about his first appearance under Alonso, they noted that even Gonzalo has barely played so far. Last week, Alonso said about Endrick: “He has a high scoring instinct, needs little to shoot, has an amazing decisive touch, and is good at finding spaces.”

Near Future

Endrick is currently spending the international break at his home in Madrid. Those close to him confirm that Ancelotti holds a special affection for him due to their time together at Madrid, and that the young player is working hard to earn playing minutes that will bring him back to the national team before the World Cup.

The lack of opportunities at Madrid and his absence from Brazil’s squad have led his close circle to stick to the original plan: to review his situation in January to ensure the best chance to join the World Cup roster. This may include a loan move in the second half of the season if necessary to gain sufficient playing time.