Nothing scares Endrick. Neither PSG nor the Parc des Princes. The young Brazilian put in a complete performance: a goal, an assist and defensive work that reflected his evolution in recent weeks. Those around him summed it up as follows: “This match was marked on his calendar. Beast mode activated”“I’m very happy with the goal and the assist. Scoring, assisting and defending well is a lot of work,” he explained after the match on ‘Ligue 1+‘. However, his growth is not only measured in numbers. It is also measured in his involvement off the ball, an aspect that Paulo Fonseca has insisted on. “He was decisive, but I’m even happier with how he worked defensively for the team,” said the Lyon coach.
Accepts his coach’s challenge
A few days ago, Fonseca asked him for more commitment. Endrick then had less prominence, coming off the bench. However, he responded as best he knows how. He put his head down, got to work and his improvement was immediate. He provided another assist, regained his place in the starting line-up and reinforced his role in the team. “There is no problem with the coach. I never get angry about that, I take refuge in work. I must give an answer on the field,” said the striker.
Beyond his performance, the change is also in his position. Real Madrid no longer sees him only as a No. 9, nor as the player to give Mbappe a rest. At Lyon, he is standing out from the right flank, where his speed and dribbling ability allow him to be more decisive. This versatility opens the door wide open for him to be a starter at Los Blancos, a position that is currently looking for a permanent owner.
The final reconversion
The statistics support his impact. He scored on his debut after 42 minutes, provided an assist in his second game and scored a hat-trick in the third. The message reached Valdebebas loud and clear. He currently has seven goals and seven assists (14 goal involvements), key figures for Lyon to aspire to return to the Champions League after six seasons. In France, he is seen as much more mature and with clearer ideas. Even after the game, where he has been able to speak to the press in fluent French in less than four months, has served to continue praising his acclimatisation to the French league.
The loan ends on June 30 and Real Madrid’s plan is for him to return this summer to fight for a place in the starting eleven. This would mean that Gonzalo Garcia would leave to follow the same formula. The club is maintaining its commitment to the Brazilian, for whom it paid 50 million euros to Palmeiras in 2024. His development follows a path known at the club, with previous loans of players such as Lucas Vazquez, Casemiro and Dani Carvajal before settling in the first team.
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