Jose Mourinho Backs Endrick: Real Madrid Confirm Brazilian Stays for 2026/27

Endrick Felipe — 20 years old, €72 million, shirt No.9, 5 Copa del Rey goals in a single campaign, and 8 goals in 21 appearances at Lyon — has been told by Real Madrid that he is going nowhere this summer. José Mourinho has approved the plan and is ready to give the Brazilian forward genuine opportunities in the 2026/27 season.

The Decision — Official and Final

Real Madrid have communicated their decision to keep Endrick at the Santiago Bernabéu. According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid decided not to negotiate Endrick and want to keep him in the squad for the 2026/27 season.

The decision to stay in the Spanish capital was not made in isolation — it was a collaborative conclusion reached by the player himself, the club hierarchy, and head coach José Mourinho.

The timing of the announcement carried its own symbolism. At the express request of José Mourinho, the club signalled the forward’s retention on August 10, the same day they published the squad numbers for the new season — handing Endrick the iconic No.9 shirt.

Mourinho’s Seal of Approval

The key figure in this entire saga is the man in the dugout. Mourinho has been thoroughly impressed by the young forward since his return to pre-season training, paving the way for him to remain in Madrid.

Mourinho has been won over by Endrick’s performances and attitude during his first weeks back at the club, and is now prepared to give the striker genuine opportunities this season.

According to AS, the decision comes by the express desire of José Mourinho, who intends to count on the young player. That is a significant shift from the dynamic under Xabi Alonso — Alonso visibly did not trust the youngster enough, but Mourinho has plans.

Crucially, Mourinho sees Endrick as an option for different roles in the attack — the idea is to use him primarily as a centre-forward, but also to explore his ability to play on the right wing.

The Suitors Rebuffed

Endrick’s retention did not come without external pressure. Despite significant interest from the Premier League, the Brazilian international is prepared to fight for his place in a star-studded frontline.

Aston Villa were among the clubs understood to have followed his situation closely. From Italy, despite strong interest from AS Roma, the 20-year-old striker is determined to establish himself at the Bernabéu rather than head out on another temporary move.

The news comes as a blow to Roma, who had actively positioned themselves to sign the young Brazilian on loan before the transfer window closes.

The decision to keep Endrick in the squad represents a contrasting approach compared to other youth prospects, as Madrid have already sanctioned a loan move for highly-rated teenager Franco Mastantuono to join Italian side Fiorentina for the upcoming season.

The Lyon Loan — 8 Goals That Changed Everything

To understand why Mourinho is so convinced, you have to revisit Endrick’s transformative 6-month spell in France. During his stint in Ligue 1, Endrick proved his quality by scoring 8 goals in 21 appearances across all competitions.

In Ligue 1 alone, across 16 appearances and 1,215 minutes, Endrick registered 5 goals and 7 assists — a return that silenced those who questioned his readiness for top-level European football.

The standout moment came in January 2026 when Endrick scored a hat-trick for Lyon — making him impossible to ignore heading into the summer. He also registered a rating of 8.4 in Lyon’s win over PSG in April, capping off the loan in emphatic fashion.

The Brazilian international returned to Spain after featuring at the 2026 World Cup and wants to fight for his place in the squad.

The Copa del Rey Record — Before It All Went Wrong

Before his Lyon adventure, Endrick had already written his name into Real Madrid’s record books. On 2 April 2025, Endrick became the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2012/13 season to score 5 goals in a single Copa del Rey campaign for Real Madrid, later finishing as the tournament’s joint second-top scorer.

He opened the scoring in the semi-final first leg against Real Sociedad and added his fifth with a trademark chipped finish in the return leg, helping Madrid reach the final.

That Copa del Rey campaign — 5 goals, a Cristiano Ronaldo-matching record — was the clearest evidence that Endrick’s ceiling is not just high, it is elite. The injury that followed was a cruel blow, but the Lyon loan provided the perfect rehabilitation arc.

Endrick’s Valuation — The Rebuilding Arc

His Transfermarkt valuation stood at €60 million at Palmeiras before dropping to €25 million in December 2025, but his form at Lyon helped rebuild that value to €40 million by June 2026.

The club paid Palmeiras €72 million for Endrick in 2022 when the forward was still just 16, in a move similar to those made previously for other Brazilian stars such as Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo.

With his valuation rebuilding off the back of his Lyon form, Real Madrid’s decision to hold onto Endrick rather than cash in makes both sporting and financial sense. A fit, firing, Mourinho-backed Endrick at the Bernabéu over a full season could push that valuation back towards the €60–€70 million bracket — or beyond.

Endrick — At a Glance

Endrick — 2025/26 Season Breakdown

Career Milestones — The Numbers That Define Endrick

The Bigger Picture — Vinícius and Rodrygo’s Blueprint

Endrick himself understands that earning space at a club the size of Real Madrid is a gradual process — Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo are examples of players who needed a few seasons before becoming starters and protagonists for the team.

Endrick is at the very beginning of his third season since arriving in Spanish football. The difference now is the No.9 shirt — a statement of intent — and a manager in Mourinho who has publicly backed him in a way his predecessors never fully did.

His Transfermarkt valuation is rebuilding, and with Mourinho ready to integrate Endrick into his plans, Roma and other interested clubs will now have to turn their attention to alternative transfer targets.

Real Madrid have their No.9. Mourinho has his project player. The next chapter of Endrick’s story at the Bernabéu starts now.

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