Endrick hints at Real Madrid exit as Brazil starlet fears lacking out on World Cup after season of sitting behind Kylian Mbappe in pecking order

 Endrick has opened the door for potential suitors by hinting he is keen to leave Real Madrid to ensure he makes Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad. 

The 18-year-old forward is yet to start a La Liga match with France star Kylian Mbappe guaranteed a place in Real Madrid’s line-up. 

Endrick felt the consequece of his lack of game time when he was initially left out of Brazil’s last squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers before an injury to Neymar saw him belatedly added to the party.

When Dorival Junior left Endrick out of his squad last November, the Brazil coach made clear that it was due to a lack of game time. 

‘We have no time for training or to make players return in good form. Are they performing or not? That’s the question to answer,’ he said. 

And Endrick, who has scored six goals in 28 appearances since joining Real Madrid from Palmeiras last summer, admitted in an interview with Brazil legend Romario that his patience was running out.

Endrick’s patience is wearing thin after failing to start a La Liga game for Real Madrid all season

France striker Kylian Mbappe is the main man at the Bernabeu, keeping Endrick out of the team

Endrick is worrying that a lack of game time will cost him a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad

‘To tell you the truth, what goes through my head a lot is that I’m afraid I won’t be in the World Cup,’ he told Romario TV. 

‘You [Romario] have been through it, too, my dad even told me that you were hoping and didn’t get a call-up [in 1998]. So I have this fear. Because it’s a dream of mine. It’s hard to say because I want to be at the World Cup and help Brazil win its sixth title. 

‘Of course it’s difficult, being at the biggest club in the world, with the biggest players, and you can’t always have the opportunity to play.

‘But whenever I play, I want to be able to show a bit of myself to be in the national team. I hope that next year I can be in the national team and if God wills it, we’ll win the World Cup.’

Endrick has scored three goals in 13 appearances since making his debut for Brazil in November 2023.

Endrick’s comments will put a number of clubs on alert. Endrick’s father revealed in December 2023 that Chelsea withdrew from signing the then 16-year-old at the last minute. 

And DefensaCentral reported just last week that the London club were ready to bid £105million to bag Endrick and Real team-mate Rodrygo in a double deal. 

Endrick remains on international duty and will hope to have the opportunity to impress Ancelotti — and any suitors — on Tuesday when his country faces bitter rivals against Argentina, who are without captain Lionel Messi. 

Brazil have not won in Argentina since 2009 and are third in their South American qualifying group after their 2-1 home win against Colombia.