The report had to be delayed one day. Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa (17 years old) is staying at the Eurobuilding hotel and it is match day. The lobby is packed with fans, word has spread that the young star is there and everyone is on the hunt for an autograph. Madrid has had to reinforce security to be able to get him out with guarantees to go to the game against Villarreal…
The boy already knows what awaits him when he arrives in Spain next July, after turning 18. It will be then when his signing for Madrid becomes effective. “I have been frankly impressed by everything that surrounds the team,” he tells AS. “I am passionate about everything, the stadium, the Valdebebas facilities, my teammates, the president… I am very excited and I hope to start my new stage soon, but first I want to finish in a big way with Palmeiras,” he adds. Endrick arrives at our meeting escorted by Frederico Pena, his agent and also that of Vinicius, one of the most influential men in the current market, now allied with the Roc Nation agency.
Endrick’s face exudes a maturity inappropriate for his age. He moves with a certain slowness, as if he completely dominates the scene, and just before Jesús Álvarez Orihuela’s camera shoots, he systematically dedicates one after another announcing smiles to the lens. After each flash, as if something clicked in his head, the smile disappears and he returns to his impassive face. The scene repeats itself over and over again. At his young age he has already internalized what the other needs of his profession are, those of marketing and social networks, and he masters them as much as the ball.
Endrick poses for the AS camera and toasts 2024.Jesús Álvarez Orihuela / Diario AS
Endrick looks carefully at the covers we have brought him. He has already been the protagonist of the first AS several times. “Many more will come,” we tell him, and he smiles proudly. Before the flash of our photographer’s camera goes off again, Frederico Pena has an idea: “Endrick, take the cover that you like the most…”. He doesn’t think about it. In an instinctive gesture, the boy takes the only one in which he shares the spotlight with Rodrygo and Vinicius. A joint cover that was made on the occasion of his first call-up with the Brazilian senior team, when he debuted against Colombia and Argentina. Without realizing it, he has just made it clear that vanity does not suit him. Above all, he feels happy to be able to be in the Real Madrid team where his friends Vini and Rodrygo play.
It’s time to toast Christmas and the coming year. “Without alcohol,” the agent warns him, “he is a minor.” His comment provokes a knowing and shared laugh. “Merry Christmas and Hala Madrid!” says Endrick. And a wish? We asked him. “2024 will be even better.”
Endrick chats with Marco Ruiz, editor-in-chief of the Real Madrid section in AS, during his toast at the Eurobuilding.Jesús Álvarez Orihuela / Diario AS
Visiting
Endrick visited Madrid last week. What made him happiest was being able to meet Ancelotti and those who will be his teammates starting next season. He also had the opportunity to start looking at houses. The young star was coming from several very busy days in Boston, where he attended to publicity commitments after a dream end to the season with Palmeiras (Brazilian champion at 17 years old). His parents, his brother and his girlfriend accompanied him.
Real Madrid had invited him to watch the game against Villarreal in the box. But the white entity also took the opportunity to perform some medical tests on Endrick that will help them make the insurance that will cover, in 2024, a hypothetical serious injury to the star. Another was made for 2023 (they must be carried out per calendar year). Already in the summer, when Endrick reaches the age of majority (July 21) and his signing becomes effective, he will have to undergo a new medical examination, this, the usual one in any contract. Madrid have assured the player that he is breaking all the molds in Brazil. At 17 years old he has 11 goals in the local championship. One more of the 10 that Neymar scored at the age of 17 for Santos in 2009 and just one of the 12 that Ronaldo scored with Cruzeiro. But now Endrick is the man of fashion in his country. And he has a bright future at Real Madrid. Therefore, as he says, “2024 will be even better.”
An advertising icon
As happened with Vinicius, Rodrygo or Camavinga, it has been Calafat’s personal bet for Real Madrid. The white club signed him for 35 million plus 25 million in variables. At 18, his signing will become effective and he will sign for six years (three plus three, to avoid the difficulties of FIFA regulations with young people). At this point Madrid are delighted and reserve an important role for him in next season’s squad. Endrick does not come to Spain with the same status that Rodrygo or Vinicius arrived, but with a much higher one. At 17 years old he has raised two Brasileiraos having a starring role in them. And he is a true advertising icon. After becoming the international image of New Balance, the Palmeiras attacker has signed a million-dollar contract with a large Brazilian pharmaceutical company.
Endrick plays with a ball, in front of the AS camera, during his toast at the Eurobuilding.Jesús Álvarez Orihuela / Diario AS Participation
In reality, and despite his youth, Endrick already has five official sponsors: New Balance (sneakers and his own clothing line), OdontoCompany (oral hygiene company), HBO Max, Rei do Pitacob (betting house) and now Neosaldina (pharmaceutical). This is very important for Real Madrid, since the young player’s image rights are shared 50/50 (except, as in the case of the rest of the squad, those of the sports brand that dresses him).
The agreement that Madrid has reached with Endrick for his first months in the team is the same one that was reached with Vinicius. A verbal agreement (not written) according to which the player will always work with the first team. In the event that it is necessary for him to play with Castilla, if at the beginning he finds it difficult to play minutes with the seniors, it will be in subsidiary matches, in any case, that will be played at home or near the capital, not with large trips . The same thing happened with Vinicius. In any case, Madrid see him well prepared to start playing an important role in the first team from the start. When Real Madrid signed him, at the age of 16, Transfermarkt gave him a market value of 20 million euros. Just a few months later, he’s worth 45. His rise is meteoric. And he toasts, with AS, for what he comes.
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2023-12-24 04:40:53
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