Endrick’s father reveals why Corinthians passed on signing him as a youth | OneFootball

Endrick’s father says Corinthians declined to sign him in 2016 because relocating the family from Brasília to São Paulo was too costly. The striker now belongs to Real Madrid and is in the Brazil squad.

“It was not only São Paulo. São Paulo, Corinthians, Santos and other clubs. This happened at the 2016 Go Cup. My son was playing for BFA/São Paulo. Endrick was a standout. A Corinthians scout later moved to Palmeiras and told me this story,” he said, speaking to Canal Bra.

“Back then he scouted Endrick, told Corinthians there was a special boy and that it was worth the investment to bring the family to São Paulo. He later told me Corinthians replied it would be unviable to move us from Brasília, because it would be Endrick, me and my ex-wife.”

At the time Corinthians were led by president Roberto de Andrade, with José Onofre de Souza Almeida and Fausto Bittar Filho overseeing the academy.

That Go Cup gathered more than 1,700 children aged seven to 12 from 12 countries across five continents. Palmeiras funded the family’s move and offered Douglas Sousa a job.

The gamble paid off. Endrick debuted for Palmeiras at 16 and helped win five trophies, scoring 21 goals with three assists in 82 appearances.

Real Madrid agreed a 72 million euro deal, about R$ 409 million at the time. After turning 18 he joined, then in January was loaned to Lyon until June, delivering eight goals and seven assists in 21 matches.

That form restored his prominence with Brazil, earning a place among the 26 for the 2026 World Cup. On Saturday he scored in a 2-1 friendly win over Egypt in the United States.

Source: Meu Timao