A tearful Endrick couldn’t hide his emotions as he was introduced to the Real Madrid crowd for the first time.
An estimated 68,000 supporters attended the Brazilian teenager’s official unveiling at the Santiago Bernabeu following his transfer from Brazilian club Palmeiras.
A deal for Endrick to join was agreed back in December 2022 but he couldn’t sign until after his 18th birthday earlier this month. He finally put pen to paper and completed a medical on Saturday.
The move is the culmination of a long-held dream for the forward who has been waiting for such a moment since his childhood.
“I hadn’t planned it, but as I have said since I was little I love Real Madrid,” he said after he was reduced to tears by the reception he received from fans in Madrid.
“There was someone who came into my life, and that was Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s because of him that I wanted to know more about Real Madrid. Then I searched about all the idols, also about (Emilio) Butragueno.
“To start playing for Real Madrid is amazing. I didn’t want to cry, but it came from my soul.”
👕 @Endrick 👕#WelcomeEndrick pic.twitter.com/Anrbaf1mlS
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 27, 2024
“Today I’m happy because it was wonderful,” he added. “When I came in and saw the whole stadium shouting my name.
“If I could help with goals or assists, helping the team in any way, that’s what I’m looking for, that’s what’s important. I hope to score goals and dedicate it to the fans.”
Endrick will join Brazil international team-mates Vinicius, Rodrygo and Eder Militao in the Spanish capital having played alongside all of them at this summer’s Copa America.
‘The three of them have helped me a lot,” he said. “They spoke to me very well about Real Madrid and I was waiting for this moment to come to Madrid.
“They told me about the training sessions, the games… I was focused on the Copa America, but from now on we will talk more about Real Madrid. We will have a very strong friendship to help Real Madrid.”
Endrick alongside club president Florentino Perez (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Endrick is part of the squad that will travel to the United States for their pre-season tour on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side face AC Milan at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 31, Barcelona on August 3 at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey and Chelsea on August 6 at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Any players who reached the semi-finals or finals of Euro 2024 or Copa America aren’t part of the group meaning Jude Bellingham, who reached the Euros final with England, and new signing Kylian Mbappe will not feature.
Both are scheduled to return on August 7 — a week before the European Super Cup against Atalanta in Warsaw, Poland.
Endrick and the squad will have designs on repeating the success of last season when the club lifted the La Liga and Champions League titles.
“If it’s possible, everything is possible,” he said of his ambitions. “I want to help Real Madrid to win. What matters is Real Madrid. The more titles we win, the better for the club. I can help to win more trophies.”
(Top photo: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
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