Real Madrid striker Endrick has expressed concern that his lack of playing time at the club could cost him a spot in the Brazil national team.
The 18-year-old, who joined Madrid for €60 million last summer, has struggled to secure a regular place in a forward line featuring stars like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo. Despite making 28 appearances across all competitions, Endrick has only played 496 minutes since the start of the season.
While he has previously emphasized his excitement about learning from top players and understands the competition, Endrick has now shared his worries about missing out on the 2026 World Cup due to limited playing time.
“To tell you the truth, what goes through my head a lot is that I’m afraid I won’t be in the World Cup,” he told Romario TV. “You [Romario] went through it too, my dad even told me that you were hoping for a call-up [in 1998] but didn’t get it. So I have this fear, because it’s a dream of mine. It’s hard to say because I want to be at the World Cup and help Brazil win its sixth title.”
He continued, “Of course it’s difficult, being at the biggest club in the world with the biggest players, and not always having the opportunity to play. But whenever I do play, I want to show a bit of myself to be in the national team. I hope that next year I can be in the national team, and if God wills it, we’ll win the World Cup.”
Endrick has earned 13 caps for Brazil so far.
Brazil manager Dorival Junior has since confirmed that he has discussed Endrick’s development with Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“Endrick has been closely monitored,” Dorival said. “On this last trip to Europe, I spoke with Ancelotti for about two and a half hours. We discussed many topics, but mainly about the situation Endrick is going through. He has evolved a lot compared to what we knew a year ago. The work at Palmeiras was very well done, and Endrick is now much more mature. That’s natural. I believe that in a year in Europe, he has evolved in a way he wouldn’t have if he stayed here.”
