It was supposed to be the season when Endrick announced himself at Real Madrid. After a frustrating debut campaign under Carlo Ancelotti, limited largely to substitute appearances and cautious integration, the 2025–26 season was expected to be the Brazilian teenager’s true breakthrough at the Santiago Bernabeu. Instead, the first half of the campaign has unfolded as a harsh reality check for one of world football’s most talked-about young forwards.
Injuries disrupted Endrick’s momentum almost immediately, ruling him out for the opening months of the season. By the time he returned to full fitness, the landscape at Real Madrid had changed. Under new head coach Xabi Alonso, opportunities remained scarce, and the striker found himself consistently overlooked despite being available and sharp in training.
That sequence of events set the stage for a decision that now appears unavoidable.
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Endrick loan move: Why Real Madrid agreed to a January exit
With minutes proving hard to come by, discussions began internally over Endrick’s immediate future. The consensus, shared by the club hierarchy, coaching staff, and the player’s camp, was that a temporary move would best serve all parties. A January loan emerged as the preferred solution, with Olympique Lyon quickly positioning themselves as the frontrunners.
The Ligue 1 side offered something Endrick could not guarantee in Madrid: a clear pathway to regular starts, European competition exposure, and a central role in their attacking plans. Negotiations progressed smoothly, and an agreement between the two clubs and the player was effectively wrapped up weeks ago.
A brief cameo against Manchester City, however, briefly complicated the narrative. Introduced late in a high-pressure Champions League fixture, Endrick showed aggression, intensity, and a fearless approach that resonated with the Bernabeu crowd. His energy and desire sparked a debate among fans and pundits alike, many questioning whether the teenager was being underused.
The timing was significant. Alonso, already under scrutiny due to inconsistent results, faced mounting pressure, and speculation grew that a managerial change could alter Endrick’s standing within the squad. Some even suggested that the Brazilian might stay put to fight for minutes under a potential new coach.
That hope, though, has now been extinguished.
Endrick leaving Real Madrid: Why the decision will not change
According to reports from AS, Endrick’s situation is effectively sealed. Regardless of what happens with Xabi Alonso’s future, the forward will leave Real Madrid on loan to Olympique Lyon in January. The agreement is firm, and there is no clause or condition tied to a potential change in the dugout.
From Real Madrid’s perspective, the logic is clear. Squad planning since the start of the season has left Endrick squeezed by both tactical preferences and personnel choices. The emergence of Gonzalo Garcia at the FIFA Club World Cup proved pivotal. Alonso sees the academy graduate as a traditional No. 9 — a pure penalty-box striker — a profile the squad otherwise lacks.
Endrick, by contrast, is viewed as a more dynamic and mobile forward, capable of drifting wide and attacking space rather than operating exclusively between centre-backs. While his goalscoring instincts are undeniable, Alonso does not see him as the same type of striker as Garcia.
With Kylian Mbappé firmly established as the first-choice attacker, the remaining minutes up front are limited. Having both Garcia and Endrick competing for scraps was deemed unworkable, particularly for a teenager who needs rhythm and continuity to develop.
The loan move, therefore, is framed internally as a protective measure rather than a setback. Real Madrid have invested over €60 million in the Endrick operation, factoring in transfer fees and associated costs. Allowing such an asset to stagnate on the bench would risk both sporting and financial depreciation.
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Why the Lyon loan benefits all parties
For Endrick, the appeal of Lyon is straightforward. The club competes in Europe, plays attacking football, and can offer him a starting role almost immediately. With Brazil selection firmly on his mind ahead of the next World Cup cycle, regular minutes at a high level are non-negotiable.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, retain full faith in his long-term potential. The loan ensures he stays match-fit, sharp, and visible on the continental stage, while returning in the summer with added experience rather than frustration.
Both sides did attempt to delay the move, not due to uncertainty over Alonso’s position, but in case unforeseen injuries reshaped the attacking hierarchy at Madrid. That scenario never materialised, and once Lyon’s interest remained steady, the decision was finalised.
Come January, Endrick will pull on Lyon colours until the end of the season. It is not a farewell, but it is a clear admission that, for now, his development cannot be served at the Bernabeu. Whether the loan becomes a stepping stone back into Real Madrid’s plans or a prelude to further questions will depend on what Endrick does with the opportunity now firmly in front of him.
