Brazil’s journey in the Copa América came to an end in the quarter-finals with a penalty shootout defeat against Uruguay. The 17-year-old Real Madrid striker Endrick started the match, meaning he has already earned a significant transfer fee for his former club, Palmeiras, even before stepping on the pitch for Real Madrid.
With Vinícius suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, Endrick, wearing the number 9 shirt for Brazil, got the start. In the game, Endrick was one of the few bright spots on the Brazilian attack, unlike the lackluster performance of Rafinha and the closely marked Rodrygo. The 17-year-old Endrick showed his classic center-forward attributes, battling physically with renowned defenders like Araújo and Giménez, vying for possession, testing the Uruguayan goalkeeper Rochet with a long-range shot, and using his agility to dribble past defenders to create set-piece opportunities.
The loss in the penalty shootout left Endrick disheartened, and his post-match remarks displayed a maturity beyond his years. Endrick stated, “I am very sad, not just as a player, but as a Brazilian. Losing is always hard, but losing on penalties is even worse. We wanted to bring Brazil back to the top, but unfortunately, this time it wasn’t meant to be. We will keep working hard, continue preparing for the World Cup, and I hope to have the support of all Brazilians. I know it’s difficult right now, but the fans’ support is crucial for us. I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to start, that’s all I have to say.”
According to the Brazilian media outlet “Globo”, Endrick’s start in this match triggered a clause in his contract, requiring Real Madrid to pay an additional 125 million euros to Palmeiras. Currently, despite not having played a single minute for Real Madrid, Endrick has earned a total of 12.5 million euros in bonus payments from Real Madrid as he has met various clauses related to being called up to the national team, starting a game, scoring goals, and reaching specific goal milestones.
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