{"id":299531,"date":"2023-11-15T23:26:02","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T23:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=299531"},"modified":"2023-11-15T23:26:02","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T23:26:02","slug":"teenage-sensation-endrick-is-the-new-jewel-of-brazil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/teenage-sensation-endrick-is-the-new-jewel-of-brazil\/","title":{"rendered":"Teenage sensation Endrick is the new jewel of Brazil!"},"content":{"rendered":"
Every once in a while, a genius emerges from Brazil. Pele in the late Fifties, Zico 15 years later. Ronaldo in the mid-Nineties and Ronaldinho following quickly behind him. Now, a new magician is ready for global stardom.<\/p>\n
Endrick had played just seven times for Palmeiras last December when Real Madrid agreed a \u00a352.5million deal for him to join them when he turns 18 in July next year.<\/p>\n
His star rose when he scored 165 goals in 169 games for Palmeiras\u2019s youth teams, and he snubbed Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain to join his national team-mates Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo in Madrid. on Thursday night, aged 17 years and 118 days, he is expected to make his Brazil debut in a World Cup qualifier in Colombia. Only Pele and two stars of the Sixties, Edu and Coutinho, were younger.<\/p>\n
\u2018It has always been an ultimate dream to wear the Brazil jersey,\u2019 Endrick tells Mail Sport. \u2018Things have happened very quickly in my life, and this is another dream come true. I can only thank my family, agents, and Palmeiras, who have always believed in me.\u2019<\/p>\n
The Brazil box is about to be ticked and he will achieve his other big target too despite his tender years. \u2018My dream, since I was little, has always been to play for Real Madrid,\u2019 he adds. \u2018Cristiano Ronaldo is one of my biggest idols. So it is a great pride to know that I will wear the same shirt he wore.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Brazilian sensation Endrick (above) helped Palmeiras win the Brazilian title last season<\/p>\n
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The 17-year-old is poised to make his debut in the famous yellow jersey on Thursday\u00a0<\/p>\n
Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n
Endrick is already signed to Jay Z\u2019s Roc Nation Sports agency, and will leave his Nike deal to become the face of New Balance before he moves to Madrid.<\/p>\n
His entourage already numbers more than a dozen, from chefs to physiotherapists, tactical analysts and marketing professionals, all precision engineering this precious talent.<\/p>\n
\u2018Endrick is not just an athlete who executes a move perfectly, but an athlete who executes unexpected moves at different moments of the game,\u2019 says his Roc Nation manager Thiago Freitas. \u2018It is difficult to prepare to face him because it is difficult to know what you will face. In several of his goals, he starts explosively, taking on defenders at high speed, and just when you think he will finish with the same force, he finishes as if he were playing with his younger brother, waiting for the opposing goalkeeper to fall. He has two hearts, each beating at a completely different rhythm.\u2019<\/p>\n
In his own words, Endrick is a little more subtle. Mail Sport asks him to walk through the game that sealed his call-up to the national team \u2014 a 4-3 win for Palmeiras over closest title rivals Botafogo a fortnight ago.<\/p>\n
Trailing 3-0 away from home at half-time, Endrick took over in the second half, scoring twice and setting up the equaliser before Palmeiras won the game in the 99th minute. He demonstrated all of the qualities that set Real\u2019s eyes on him: dribbling, explosive pace and a rocket shot with either his stronger left foot or his right.<\/p>\n
\u2018There are only fractions of seconds to define the play,\u2019 says Endrick. \u2018I did what was necessary at the time. It\u2019s something I\u2019ve been doing since my journey through the youth teams, which is to be happy and play football.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s about enjoying going forward, dribbling, shooting at goal, and doing whatever it takes for the team to win.\u2019<\/p>\n
It has not all been plain sailing. Endrick\u2019s 2023 began slowly, when he lost his starting place in mid-season. Now, he is front and centre again as Palmeiras\u2019s top scorer in the league with nine as they look to retain the title.<\/p>\n
\u2018At no point did I hang my head because I wasn\u2019t playing,\u2019 he says. \u2018It was a period of professional growth. (Palmeiras boss) Abel Ferreira always talked to me, so I was more at ease, respected his decision, and kept working. Now the opportunity has come to show what I can do on the pitch, and I am very grateful for everything that is happening. It\u2019s a moment to enjoy and be happy.\u2019<\/p>\n
His success is not down to chance. He has talent, of course, but a fierce determination too.<\/p>\n
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The 17-year-old is already signed to Jay Z\u2019s Roc Nation Sports agency<\/p>\n
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Endrick had played just seven times for Palmeiras before Real Madrid agreed a \u00a352.5m deal<\/p>\n
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A new magician is ready for global stardom and follow in footsteps of\u00a0of Pele and Ronaldo<\/p>\n
\u2018The first two times I met Endrick were just before his 14th birthday,\u2019 says Freitas. \u2018What impressed me the most was that he was fully aware of his potential \u2014 and the difference between potential and achievement.<\/p>\n
\u2018Young footballers, especially in Brazil, are bombarded with attention and most of them believe that their potential is a divine guarantee, that they will naturally excel simply by waiting for time to pass. Endrick was different. His talent was amplified by himself, not by us.<\/p>\n
\u2018Success only comes when the athlete is willing to sacrifice. Sacrificing leisure time, sacrificing food and sacrificing comfort \u2014 to constantly demand more from his body and get used to the pain that this demand brings.\u2019<\/p>\n
So far that sacrifice seems to be paying off.<\/p>\n
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n