Endrick: ‘I could write a book about everything I learned from Ancelotti’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid youngster Endrick, currently on loan at Olympique Lyon for the rest of the season, has granted an interview to AS, during which the teenage striker reflected on his time in Spain and discussed his objectives with the Ligue 1 club.

Endrick arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 amidst a lot of excitement, as he was considered one of Brazil’s most exciting young talents.

However, his arrival coincided with that of Kylian Mbappe, meaning the youngster was not always able to play regularly in his debut season under Carlo Ancelotti.

Despite that, Endrick made a positive impression, making the most of whatever opportunities came his way.

On his first year and Ancelotti

Touching on his debut season at Real Madrid and how things went under Ancelotti, Endrick remarked:

“I wish I could have helped more, but I think it was a season where I learned and grew a lot. I scored goals on my debuts in several tournaments and played alongside some of the best athletes in the world. A world-class team. I can only thank God.”

The young Brazilian was full of praise for Ancelotti, stating that working with the Italian was a huge boost for him.

“I could write a book about everything I learned from him. He played at a high level for big clubs and won everything while managing clubs in various countries. He taught us a lot about the game, but also about life in football.”

Endrick delighted to have played under Ancelotti. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

On injuries, Alonso

Things went downhill for Endrick after he sustained an injury in May last year, that kept him out of action until September – which meant he missed the FIFA Club World Cup under new manager Xabi Alonso as well as the start of the new season.

“They were difficult, I can’t deny it. An injury that keeps a player off the field is always sad. You’re not doing what you love, and sometimes you don’t know when you’ll be able to do it again, or if you’ll be able to do it as well,” he admitted about the tough period.

“Luckily, it wasn’t a serious injury, and the club paid special attention to the recovery process.”

Endrick, in fact, went on to name the moment when he learned about his Club World Cup absence as the worst one he had experienced so far in Spain.

“The confirmation that I would miss the Club World Cup in the United States. That I wouldn’t be able to play for several months. The moment you realize you won’t be able to compete,” said the teenager.

“Losses are bad, but they’re part of football. We win and we lose. Everyone does. Few win titles. Nobody wins all the time. But injuries can sideline you from football.”

Touching upon the recent sacking of Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid, Endrick noted: “Xabi was a brilliant player, a World Cup winner, he was a champion as a coach in Germany, and he’ll soon be at a new club or with a new national team.”

On his ambitions at Lyon

Having chosen Lyon as his destination for the next six months, Endrick has already made a positive start, scoring on his debut for the club against Lille last weekend.

“From the first ball I touched, I tried to show that we were going to win. It wasn’t a dream. It was a plan. A goal. To go out and win. Each of us did our best, and I, in attack, always had to look for the goal,” he said, reflecting on his debut performance.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Endrick 🐆 (@endrick)

On what his goals are between now and the end of the season, the Real Madrid loanee was clear:

“I have one goal each week: to start the following week better than the previous one. This will motivate me to give my all for the club so we can win every match. My objective is to help the team win.”

“If I achieve this, I’ll have the best reward: goals and titles,” he added.

On being asked if he was already thinking about returning to Real Madrid successfully at the end of the season, the striker said:

“It’s not the time to think about going back. Right now, I’m only thinking about a full stadium on Sunday, about seeing our fans. At this moment, I don’t have to worry about anything other than Lyon.”

At the same time, he made it clear that nothing had changed as far as his relationship with Real Madrid was concerned, saying:

“My relationship with Real Madrid hasn’t changed at all. Up until the day of my trip to Lyon, the club gave me all the support I needed and helped me with this transfer, granting my loan request.”