Brazil coach advises young star amid career crossroads
Carlo Ancelotti, the head coach of Brazil's national team, has publicly advised Real Madrid's teenage sensation Endrick to hold crucial discussions about his future with the Spanish giants. This comes as the 19-year-old finds himself at a career crossroads, having been omitted from Brazil's squad for upcoming matches against Senegal and Tunisia.
The Italian manager's comments arrive during a challenging period for the young striker, who has managed just 11 minutes of first-team football for Real Madrid this season. Despite recovering from injury at the campaign's start, Endrick has remained on the bench in seven of Real's last eight La Liga fixtures.
Transfer speculation intensifies for frustrated starlet
Endrick's limited opportunities have sparked significant transfer speculation, with several European clubs monitoring his situation ahead of the January window. According to reports, Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Juventus have all been linked with potential loan moves for the Brazilian prodigy.
The former Palmeiras star, who joined Real Madrid in 2024 for £61 million, enjoyed a reasonably successful debut season but has struggled to make an impact this term. Concerns are growing that his lack of game time could jeopardise his chances of representing Brazil at next summer's World Cup.
Ancelotti emphasises long-term perspective
Speaking ahead of Brazil's match against Senegal, Ancelotti provided measured advice for the young player. "Endrick needs to talk to Real Madrid to find out what's best for him… he's very young. This won't be his last World Cup," the experienced manager stated.
Ancelotti emphasised Endrick's youth and long-term potential, adding: "He can play in the 2026 World Cup because he has quality, but he could also be in the 2030 World Cup, or 2034, and maybe even 2038."
The Daily Star reports that Real Madrid would require any loan deal to include full coverage of Endrick's wages. This presents a significant financial consideration for interested clubs, including Aston Villa.
Aston Villa's recent transfer history shows they're not afraid of ambitious January moves, having secured Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio on loan last year. However, that strategy didn't yield the desired outcome, with the club narrowly missing Champions League qualification, leading to more cautious spending this summer.
Whether Villa will pursue another high-profile loan in Endrick remains uncertain, but the Brazilian's situation represents both an opportunity and a gamble for any potential suitor.
