He is considered Brazil’s new prodigy, the top clubs are said to be lining up already. Endrick, just 15, talks Real, Barcelona – and a gift he received from Vinicius Junior
It is the dream of many young Spaniards. To be on the cover of “Marca”, Spain’s biggest sports magazine, one day. For a 15-year-old from Brazil, it is gradually becoming a habit – on Tuesday, his likeness was featured for the second time.
Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa, Endrick for short – this is no longer an insider tip. “Nike” has already signed him, even though he hasn’t even played a single professional game yet. He has 700,000 followers on Instagram. Just about every big club in Europe is said to be interested in the (currently still) 1.73-metre tall lad from Brasilia. His spectacular overhead kick goal at the Copinha, Brazil’s most important youth tournament, went viral, and hundreds of thousands of users click on his best scenes on YouTube.
Is it all just hype or is Endrick the new Neymar after all? One thing is clear: the striker is already the talk of the town. In the big “Marca” interview Endrick talked about, among other things, …
.. winning the Copinha with Palmeiras: “I expected to play a good Copinha, but not to be so decisive. It was a great moment for me, I managed to play very well against players as young as 21. With God’s help, I won the ‘Dener’ (award for the best goal with a bicycle kick from 16 metres), the fans’ MVP and the Copinha MVP. I couldn’t have done all this without the team and without humility.”
.. the hype around his person: “I stay calm. I try to keep a clear head and keep my feet on the ground. A lot of people ask me for autographs, a lot of people ask for photos too. I try to do as much as I can to make everyone happy. “
.. his playing style: “I am a player with character who always tries to do the most difficult thing. I try to decide matches, play a lot for the team, that’s the most important thing. When I was promoted to the U20s, I started as a winger, I played well and scored a lot of goals, but I prefer to play as a centre-forward, which is my original position. The most important thing for me is to break through the last line of defence to get into the penalty area and score goals.”
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.. his idols: “I like and identify with Mbappé because I am young and have his characteristics. My idol is Cristiano Ronaldo, a spectacular guy, a phenomenon. I have to follow his ways.”
.. his club Palmeiras: “It’s the team that opened the doors for me in Sao Paulo. I have to thank everyone. They believed in my potential and promoted me to higher spheres. I’ll be 16 in July and I’ll be able to be in the professional team.”
.. Real Madrid: “It’s a club I also appreciate because of Cristiano Ronaldo, who I’ve always followed with the four Champions League titles. I have a great affection for Real, also because of the history and because it’s a very good team. It is very satisfying for me to know that they are watching me and witnessing my games. But I have to do more, I have to give more, I still have a long way to go. “
.. FC Barcelona: “Also a very good and great team with incredible players, even if some like Messi, Xavi and Iniesta are not playing anymore. It’s good to have some of the best in the world following my career as a player and a person.”
.. a Vinicius Junior jersey he received as a gift from Real: “It was a great moment for me. I support him a lot, Real Madrid too. I thank them and wait for them here at Palmeiras. I still have to send Real a signed Palmeiras shirt. “
