Real Madrid fans had been begging for months for Carlo Ancelotti to make sure Endrick has a big role to play at the 2026 World Cup. After being bizarrely snubbed by Xabi Alonso from the get go, Endrick went out on loan to Lyon and tore it up, performing at the highest level in Ligue 1 and immediately outplaying all of his new teammates, proving his doubters, including manager Paulo Fonseca, wrong in the process.
But Brazil fans and Madridistas were disappointed to see how little Endrick was still playing for Brazil. Carlo Ancelotti was a fan of Endrick's during their season together in Madrid, but he also held the teenage sensation back, seeing him as immature. But he still saw him the same way at Brazil in 2026, mostly keeping him to a bench role.
Still, Endrick was making a difference in the friendlies before the World Cup, and even during the World Cup when Carlo did not count on him, he had a great attitude about it, simply stating that Carlo is the coach and is making the best decisions for the team.
Endrick is not ready for the big stage
Endrick did get a chance for 45 minutes in the Round of 32 against Japan, and then with Brazil again in need of a goal against Norway, Carlo Ancelotti brought on the Palmeiras product to play for Manchester United center forward Matheus Cunha.
But in truth, Endrick showed why Ancelotti had been keeping him out of the games and out of the starting XI. As exciting and as talented as Endrick may be, he just is not ready to make the difference in the biggest games, and the moments are simply too grand for him.
There is no need to mince words, regardless of how beloved Endrick is. He was terrible, and he was as poor as anyone on the pitch for Brazil. His touch was heavy, his nerves were palpable, and his all around game was total non existent. Endrick made no impact creatively or on the ball, and when he had a golden opportunity served up to him on a platter with a Vinicius Junior trivela, he so badly messed it up that it would have been better if literally anyone else on the team, including Danilo or Marquinhos, were in that position.
Endrick took a heavy touch, seemed to trip over the ball, and then inexplicably used the outside of his left foot to try and chip it with no space on the left to aim at the goal, leading the ball to trickle predictably and aimlessly beyond the post.
The moment was a microcosm of why Endrick is not ready yet. He overthought, failed on a technical level, and took the total wrong decision with his finish. Endrick will come good, yes, but he needs so much more refinement than his fans are admitting right now.
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