NEXT GEMS: Endrick, Brazil & Real Madrid's New Generational Talent

Endrick is considered one of, if not the greatest talent of his generation. The Real Madrid-bound wonderkid has had a meteoric rise at such a young age.

The Brazilian teenager just turned 17 recently but has certainly made a name for himself in the world of football. Currently plying his trade at Palmeiras in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, the teenager has already finalised a big money move to European Giants, Real Madrid, which will go through in July 2024 when he turns 18.

Where did it all begin for Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa?

It wasn't the traditional route to academy football for the youngster but perhaps a new way in the modern world we live in. Endrick's father, Douglas Sousa, put his son on the shop window as he posted his son's goals on Youtube in the hope the top sides across Brazil would take notice.

As clips began to gain traction, Brazil's elite clubs began to approach the family for the young boys signature but with now foolish-looking offers. São Paulo offered just $30 a month for them to relocate from Tanguatinga to São Paulo. Whilst Corinthians & Santos also both showed interest but were reluctant to pay the family's rent in the region if a move was made permanent.

Palmieras is where the striker ended up & where he would go on to exceed all expectations. His father began selling breakfasts at the local bus terminals in order to help pay their existing expenses & bills to keep their sons dreams a reality. However, a short time later Palmeiras then offered Douglas Sousa a permanent job as a caretaker at the clubs training ground.

From this moment on it was a match made in heaven between player & club. The talent of Endrick was evident as his unbelievable performances at youth level saw him score 165 goals in 169 games.

Clubs across the world were quickly alerted about the noise of this young jewel before he even made a senior appearance, none more so than his appearance at the 2022 Copa São Paulo de Futbol Júnior. He scored 7 in 7 appearances lifting the trophy & being voted the Player of the Tournament.

It wasn't long until he got his chance at senior level as he made his debut at just 16 years old making him Palmeiras' youngest ever player in the process.

Less than a year later & the Brazilian starlet has already penned a deal for one of the biggest clubs in the world. The transfer reportedly costing Madrid over £60m with add-ons to potentially rise to over £70m has been coined 'the biggest deal in the history of Brazilian football' by Palmeiras President, Leila Periera.

The young talent seems to have a great mentality, one he will need if he is to fulfil his immense potential & deal with the pressure & scrutiny which will follow at a club like Real Madrid.

The current holder of the Samba Gold award for best Brazilian U20 player of the year saw recent criticism following the move as he went over five months without scoring at club level. "Nobody should feel sorry for me or pat me on the head" says the teenager following his goal-drought. 

"I used to be aware of what people were saying about me. But not anymore, I like TikTok, but when I see something about me, I move on quickly."

He has been compared to the Brazilian greats such as Romario, Pele & Ronaldo but continues to stay grounded; "Sometimes I ask myself, why are there so many stories about me? He's the new Pele. Man, nobody is going to be Pele, he's the king of football."

Endrick's impending move from Brazil to the European Continent screams parallels with Neymar's switch from Santos to Barcelona a decade ago. 

Many expect him to show promise matching or maybe even surpassing what Neymar has achieved which is a lot of pressure to put on a 17-year-old's shoulders but only time will tell.