Brazilian rising star Endrick has named the Real Madrid legend who he wants to emulate when he moves to the club in the summer.
The 17-year-old has already begun following in the footsteps of his future team-mate Jude Bellingham by recently copying the England star’s celebration and has given a further insight on his plans at Madrid.
Endrick will join a growing list of Brazilian stars at the club when he leaves South America for Spain with Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo already first-team stars in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
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Securing the Future: Madrid’s £62 Million Deal for Endrick
Madrid outmaneuvered Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to secure the young prodigy’s signature, finalizing a deal with Palmeiras reportedly valued at £62 million, inclusive of over £10 million earmarked for taxes, though yet to be added.
Since the agreement was reached in December 2022, the talented player has stayed put with his current Brazilian club. This delay is attributed to regulations governing the transfer of players under the age of 18. However, he is set to join Real Madrid in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Endrick faces an impending decision regarding the choice of his shirt number upon joining Real Madrid, with the young talent expressing a strong desire to don the prestigious No. 7 jersey, famously adorned in recent years by Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, the iconic digit is currently sported by fellow Brazilian star Vinicius Junior, who secured the number following a contract extension with the club. It appears unlikely that Vinicius will be willing to relinquish the coveted shirt number anytime soon, presenting a potential dilemma for Endrick as he looks to carve out his own legacy at the Spanish giants.
Endrick’s Shirt Number Dilemma: Balancing Legacy and Responsibility at Real Madrid
In an interview with Placar TV, Endrick shared his thoughts on the potential choice of his shirt number at Real Madrid. Despite not placing excessive emphasis on numbers, the young talent revealed a fondness for the No. 7 jersey, citing its association with football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he admires. Endrick also drew inspiration from NBA star Luka Doncic, who wears the number 77, acknowledging the attention-grabbing nature of higher numbers.
“It is a number that for me draws a lot of attention because Cristiano [Ronaldo] was seven and I also really like [NBA star] Luka Doncic who is a guy who wears 77, a high number. It’s a number that I look at and see as standing out.”
While expressing his affinity for the No. 7, Endrick acknowledged his versatility in wearing various numbers throughout his career, including 11, 10, and 7, with his current number being nine at Palmeiras. However, he also recognized the weight of responsibility associated with the No. 9 shirt, which was once worn by Brazilian and Madrid legend Ronaldo.
“I like it a lot, but I don’t know. I’ve played with 11, with 10, with seven… now I’m the nine at Palmeiras.”
Endrick’s comments suggest a deliberation over his choice of shirt number, weighing the allure of the No. 7 against the historical significance and expectations tied to the No. 9, as he prepares for his journey at Real Madrid.
“It’s a great number, too, but always comes with a lot of responsibility,” he added.
