"Has a great future" - Carlo Ancelotti sheds light on plan for 'humble' Endrick after Real Madrid star's UCL heroics
Carlo Ancelotti has seemingly promised Endrick will have a starting role in one of Real Madrid's upcoming games. The Brazilian wonderkid has made a superb start at the Santiago Bernabeu and was on target in a 3-1 win over Stuttgart on his UEFA Champions League debut (September 17).
Endrick came off the bench in the 80th minute and fired home from long range in the victory at the Bernabeu over the Bundesliga side. He's been used as an impact sub so far in his Madrid career, but that might be about to change.
Ancelotti gave a glowing verdict of the 18-year-old in his pre-match press conference ahead of Los Blancos' clash with Espanyol (September 21). The Italian said (via transfer expert Fabrizio Romano):
"Endrick is a humble boy, he doesn't talk a lot. He just works very hard. He will start in one of the next games. For sure, Endrick has a great future."
Endrick joined Real Madrid from Brazilian outfit Palmeiras in the summer for a reported €47.5 million. He joined a stacked pool of attackers, including Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
The 11-cap Brazil international is shining despite being used sparingly thus far. He's bagged two goals in five games, the other goal coming on his La Liga debut in a 3-0 win over Real Valladolid.
Endrick on snubbing Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior to fire in his second Real Madrid goal
Endrick's strike midweek came in the 90+5th minute of the victory at home to Stuttgart. He ventured forward and took aim from the edge of the box, beating German goalkeeper Alexander Nubel.
The Brazilian displayed confidence as he had Mbappe and Vinicius either side of him as options. He touched on opting to go for goal instead (via The Daily Mail):
"I knew I had Kylian and Vini, but at that moment the best option was to shoot."
Mbappe had got on the scoresheet earlier in the game, opening the scoring in the 46th minute. Stuttgart drew level through Denis Undav in the 68th minute, only for Antonio Rudiger to put Madrid back in front in the 83rd minute.
Endrick ensured Real Madrid started their defense of their Champions League crown with a tidy finish. It appears he's now in contention to start one of Los Merengues' upcoming games with Alaves (September 24) and Atletico Madrid (September 29) also on the horizon.