Endrick’s Clock Tower Moment: Diaz’s Call, a Possible Lyon Loan, and a Brazilian Dream on Hold

Endrick’s Clock: Diaz’s Message and a Possible Lyon Loan

Mariano Diaz, the former Real Madrid forward now playing for Deportivo Alavés, sent a message to Brazil’s young sensation Endrick, Real Madrid’s rising star, amid his struggles for playing time this season.

Last season Endrick often came on as a substitute, yet he found minutes under Carlo Ancelotti and showed a notable goalscoring instinct, tallying seven goals in limited appearances.

This season, under Xabi Alonso, the situation looks tougher for the teenager; he has drifted from the coach’s favored choices and sits behind Mbappé and Gonzalo García in the attacking pecking order, with the latter also struggling for action.

All of this has fueled speculation that a loan move might be the best route for Endrick to secure regular minutes and keep his dream of representing Brazil at the 2026 World Cup alive.

Diaz spoke to The Athletic, sending a direct message to Endrick and to any player lacking regular game time: “If Endrick leaves, or any player who isn’t playing regularly, I’d only tell them to enjoy it and realize the value of being a starter. That is the best thing that can happen to you.”

Diaz added that consistency remains the true key to true breakthrough, noting that when a coach truly trusts you and you start games, you reveal your full potential. In that scenario, a short stint on the bench becomes a distant memory, and a return to Madrid can still be possible later on.

He even hinted at his own future, saying he has no thoughts of retirement soon and that he could move to MLS someday; “I’ve never thought about quitting. Even if I stop playing professionally, I’ll stay connected to football. America attracts me; I’ve visited and would love to try playing there.”

A Move to the French Lyon?

According to AS, Real Madrid and Olympique Lyonnais are close to concluding a loan deal for Endrick until the end of the current season. The paper notes that the final step before signing is agreement with Endrick on the financial details after everything is cleared with Real Madrid officials.

AS also suggests Endrick is convinced by a switch to Lyon, especially given that the French side competes in the Europa League and battles for the Ligue 1 title.

Madrid, for their part, see a loan as a valuable platform for his development, a way to sharpen his skills in a different league and playing culture.

Endrick would be the third offensive option for manager Alonso in the striker role, behind Kylian Mbappé and Gonzalo García. He has played only once this season, versus Valencia, coming on as a substitute for 11 minutes.

Linked with a string of clubs in the January window—most notably Juventus—Endrick reportedly favors a destination where he can guarantee first-team football. His foremost objective during this phase remains reaching peak readiness ahead of the World Cup 2026, to secure a place on the Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti’s list.

Indeed, Ancelotti himself is said to have advised Endrick to seek a move away from Real Madrid in January to secure meaningful minutes and showcase his talent.

Memories of a Bright Beginning

Endrick was born on July 21, 2006, in Brasília and began his footballing journey with Palmeiras at age 11, quickly drawing attention for his scoring prowess and technical skill, earning him the nickname “the new phenomenon.”

By 15, he had ascended to the first-team fold of Palmeiras’ youth structure, steering the club to the 2022 São Paulo Youth Cup and collecting the tournament’s best player award.

European clubs soon chased him, and Brazilians hailed him as the country’s future hope after Neymar and Vinícius Júnior. A professional contract with Palmeiras followed, making him the youngest player to appear for the club’s first team and starting a career that began with a goal in his Brazilian league debut.

From Promising Talent to Heavy Investment

Endrick’s meteoric rise attracted Real Madrid’s attention, who sealed his transfer for around €60 million including variables, in what was pitched as a long-term investment for the future. Despite his youth, he exuded maturity and confidence in early statements, voicing a dream to follow in the footsteps of his compatriots Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo in Madrid.

Before his European move, Endrick continued to shine with Palmeiras and helped the team clinch the Brazilian league title in 2023, with crucial late goals and decisive performances in the championship run.

He also earned praise from Brazilian icons such as Ronaldo Nazario and Rivaldo, who highlighted a rare blend of speed, accuracy, and mental strength that could make him the ideal Brazilian striker for football’s modern era.

A Tough European Chapter

Endrick officially joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 and began training with the first team alongside stars like Jude Bellingham, Vinícius, and Rodrygo. Although injuries delayed his official debut, he managed seven goals in 840 minutes, becoming the team’s top scorer in the Copa del Rey with five goals and signaling himself as one of the King’s Academy’s most promising talents.

But the coaching switch to Xabi Alonso shifted the dynamic. He hoped for a larger role, only to find himself out of the rotation, while the club’s other young forward, Gonzalo, earned a new professional contract after a standout FIFA Club World Cup run, cutting into Endrick’s minutes even further.

This development underscored a harsh reality: Endrick now faces fierce competition behind Mbappé and Gonzalo Garcia, a reminder that talent alone does not guarantee minutes. The coming weeks could redefine his path—whether on a short-term loan or a longer-term plan to re-establish himself in Madrid’s plans.

Punchline 1: Endrick’s minutes are so scarce that even his shadow needs a substitute. Punchline 2: If patience were goals, he’d be top scorer by now—just not in the calendar year, yet.