“Be stronger in duels” - What Real Madrid defender reportedly told Endrick in training
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has asked new signing Endrick to be 'stronger in duels. The Palmeiras sensation completed his Los Blancos move this summer after turning 18.
Endrick was in action at the 2024 Copa America - where he went scoreless in four games as Brazil lost (4-2) on penalties to Colombia in the quarter-finals after a goalless 90 minutes.
Last week, the Brazilian was unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu and is now a part of Los Blancos' pre-season squad that has arrived in the US. Meanwhile, in training, veteran defender Rudiger provided Endrick a glimpse of what could follow in the season ahead as he shouted to the teenager in training:
"Be stronger in the duels."
As per Madrid Zone, Rudiger "welcomed Endrick with intense marking, giving him a strong blow & leaving him with some pain after the session."
Endrick is one of six attackers in Los Blancos' squad for the pre-season tour, the others being his compatriots Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, Brahim Diaz, Juanmi Latasa and Alvaro Rodriguez.
Ancelotti's side take on AC Milan on July 31 in Chicago, followed by further duels with Barcelona (August 3) in New Jersey and Chelsea three days later in North Carolina.
"I always wanted to be here" - Real Madrid new signing Endrick on his unveiling
New Real Madrid attacker Endrick said during his unveiling at the Bernabeu last week that he had always dreamt of playing for the Spanish giants.
Much like his fellow new signing Kylian Mbappe a few days earlier, the 18-year-old enacted Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic 'uno dos tres Hala Madrid' as he addressed 40,000 assembled fans.
"This is crazy," he said (as per ESPN). "I am so happy, since I was a kid I have always been a Madrid fan, and now I am going to play for Madrid. I am here, I am going to play.
"I am so happy, my family are as well. I don't have words to describe what I am feeling. I always wanted to be here. I wanted to play for Madrid. It was a dream. Today it is a reality."
While he's expected to feature in the pre-season, Endrick's competitive Real Madrid debut could happen in the UEFA Super Cup clash with Atalanta in Warsaw on August 14.