Real Madrid and Brazil national team fans, as well as supporters from all over the world, have been baffled as to why the phenom Endrick has not been starting at striker for the Selecao when Carlo Ancelotti has instead been utilizing Brentford's Igor Thiago, who has been atrocious up top in every meaningful game he has been playing for the national team.
Endrick is clearly at a higher level than Igor Thiago technically, athletically, and in his understanding of the game, and he is part of the present and an even bigger part of the future of the Selecao as their greatest prospect. And when he does play, he always impresses.
A standout on loan at Lyon in the last half of the 2025/26 season after Xabi Alonso unfairly discarded him, many had thought his performances in Ligue 1 and a reunion with his first Real Madrid manager Don Carlo would afford him starting opportunities at the 2026 World Cup, but those are yet to materialize. Though, at least, Endrick finally did get on the pitch off the bench in Brazil's last game against Haiti.
Jose Mourinho will love Endrick
Ancelotti has continued to fail to offer any real explanation or answer as to why Endrick does not start, other than stating that fans must be patient. But what is really remarkable is how classy Endrick has been, showing full suport and deference to his legendary manager.
Endrick said of Carlo Ancelotti and not playing, via Fabrizio Romano, “Ancelotti won’t do what’s best for Endrick, he won’t do what’s best for the fans…he’ll do what’s best for the team.”
You know who will look at that quote from Endrick and smile with pride? Jose Mourinho. The early reports from Mourinho are that he is a huge fan of Endrick's and wants to use him as a right winger, striker, or whatever way he can get the phenomenal talent involved.
There is a lot of whispering in the media from the unreliable and unverified that Endrick has a bad attitude and this is why some coaches do not play him, but Madridistas have taken all that with a grain of salt, especially as it related to Xabi Alonso, whose favoritism was more grotesque than that of the old tyrant Rafael Benitez.
Endrick clearly has respect for legends and for the coaches, and he does not insubordinate or argue. He does his job and plays his hardest, and Mourinho will love that he understands who starts or who does not is based on the team and what the coach sees. He will love that about Endrick's mentality.
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