"Knows the true GOAT", "No youngsters idolise Messi" - Fans react as Real Madrid-bound star makes claim over Cristiano Ronaldo
Endrick has named Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest player he's watched despite coming up against the Real Madrid icon's longtime rival Lionel Messi last month.
The 17-year-old Brazilian wonderkid will be joining Madrid in the summer. Los Blancos have agreed on a reported €37.5 million deal with Palmeiras for his services.
Endrick has already enthused Real Madrid fans with his latest comments regarding their club legend Cristiano Ronaldo. He said (via MadridXtra):
"Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player I've ever seen play."
Ronaldo is a Los Blancos hero, the club's record goalscorer after bagging 450 goals and 131 assists in 438 games. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner spent nine glorious years at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning 17 major trophies and dominating defenders with his pace and power.
The five-time UEFA Champions League winner waged war with Barcelona legend Messi during his time in La Liga. The pair were at the forefront of the El Clasico rivalry that dominated Spanish football over the past two decades.
Endrick had the opportunity to see Messi's talents up close just last month when Brazil met Argentina in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying action. La Albiceleste beat Selecao 1-0 at Maracana, with the soon-to-be Real Madrid striker coming on in the second half.
One fan wasn't surprised Endrick chose Ronaldo over the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner as the greatest player he's ever watched:
"Notice how no youngsters idolise Messi."
Another fan gave a similar take:
"Sure , he knows the true GOAT ... Ronaldo reigns forever."
Here's how fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to the Brazilian teenager's claim:
Endrick snubbed both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when naming his GOAT
Endrick didn't choose either Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi when revealing who he thinks is the greatest player in history. He bestowed that honor on Brazilian icon Pele (via The Daily Mail):
"Pele is the King. There is no one who will come close to him."
The late great Pele was one of world football's most incredible forwards who enjoyed a prolific career that saw him win three World Cups. He bagged 77 goals in 92 caps, a record that was only recently eclipsed by Neymar.
Pele boasts a remarkable tally of 643 goals in 654 competitive games for Brazilian outfit Santos. The Selecao great was fast, agile, and could score any sort of goal. He will go down as one of, if not, the greatest players to grace the pitch.
Endrick will hope to follow in Pele's footsteps and he's being touted as a future superstar. He's bagged 17 goals and two assists in 60 games for Palmeiras and made his international debut last month, making him the fourth youngest debutant in Brazil's history.