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All arrangements were in place, including which church Endrick and his family would go to. In November 2022, Chelsea, now under the leadership of Todd Boehly, extended an invitation to the 16-year-old Brazilian to come to Cobham and Stamford Bridge. The purpose was to persuade him that his first destination in Europe should be west London, and to meet some of the team players.
Endrick, who is recognized as one of the top young players in international soccer, has been compared to legendary Brazilian players Pelé, Ronaldo, and Romário and is predicted to reach global stardom. During our meeting at his residence in São Paulo, the 17-year-old forward for Palmeiras reveals that he was on the verge of signing with a Premier League club. He shares, “I came very close. My parents were impressed with London and it has a great reputation.”
Douglas, the father, continues the narrative. “I must confess, I am not particularly fond of cold weather, but my wife and Endrick are. Endrick especially enjoys playing in the rain. We were invited by Chelsea’s owner, Chelsea, and we visited the club and the country. We had the opportunity to watch Chelsea compete against Arsenal and to meet the coach, see the facilities, and witness players such as Jorginho, César Azpilicueta, and Thiago Silva.
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They provided us with thorough explanations. They acquainted us with the individual who would assist us in getting settled. She gave us a tour of the home we would reside in, the school our child Endrick would attend, and the church we would join. Everything felt perfect for us and Chelsea.
“I can’t say 100% because I hadn’t signed, but the deal was agreed. I had already got it into my head that I would live in London with all that cold weather. But then at night, my son’s manager phoned and said that the Chelsea owner had backed out of the deal because the price they would have to pay for Endrick would inflate the market. It was €60m [£51.4m] for a 16-year-old boy who would only arrive in the country almost two years later.”
Unfortunately, it did not work out in the end, but things have turned out well for Endrick. Just one month later, he officially joined Real Madrid in a deal that was hailed as “the most significant negotiation in Brazilian football history” by Palmeiras president, Leila Pereira. Endrick is set to join the Spanish club in July 2024, after recently making his debut for the Brazilian national team.
Endrick’s new reality contrasts with his past. While today he is the most popular player in Brazilian football, with money and fame, his parents endured difficulties that never leave the young striker’s memory. “I never went hungry, but my parents did. They starved for me. That gave me a lot of strength because I didn’t want to see them do that again. I didn’t want to see them in need, give me food and have them go without,” he says.
Born in Taguatinga, Endrick grew up in a challenging environment near Brazil’s capital, Brasília. While the city itself offers a high standard of living, the surrounding area is plagued by violence and poverty. Endrick’s parents struggled to make ends meet in this tough situation. They were forced to live in an orphanage with Endrick and his two sisters for six months after their father abandoned them. Endrick’s mother had no home or job, making it necessary for them to seek shelter in the orphanage.
Douglas attempted to establish a successful career in the world of football. He played for multiple smaller teams in Brazil, but did not see much promise. In the 1980s, long before his permanent move in 2010, he traveled to São Paulo, but unfortunately, without success. “I took a bus from Gama to Luziânia with only a backpack and two bottles – one of juice and one of water – and hitchhiked my way there,” he recalls. “I arrived in São Paulo during one of the coldest nights of the year. I slept on the street and woke up to a woman tapping me on the shoulder, offering me a place to stay in a hostel so I wouldn’t freeze to death.”
Endrick, although he has not faced the same challenges as his parents, is empathetic towards those who are left out. This is why, in addition to studying languages that will benefit his career, he has a specific interest in communicating with the deaf community. “I have set a personal goal to learn five languages, one of which holds great significance to me – sign language. I want to be able to connect with everyone and communicate with those who are mute or deaf,” he explains.
Endrick has already made a strong impact in the game. His last performance was particularly significant. He was the top player in Palmeiras’ victory in the Brazilian league, making it his second consecutive title. With 11 goals, he became the first player under 18 to score double digits in the Brazilian league since Neymar in 2009. However, despite his success, Endrick admits that he doesn’t show much emotion. He describes himself as a person who is reserved and not easily moved. According to him, his family and others have commented that he is distant and unfeeling in his actions and words.
Maybe this is how he copes with the various changes and demands in his youth. Several months back, Endrick’s reaction to severe criticism led him to make a commitment to alter his actions and respond to those who criticized him.
There was a point when I was upset because I wanted to demonstrate my identity to them. I attempted to dispute their criticism and showcase my true self. However, I eventually realized that I didn’t have to prove anything or prove the opposite. I am simply Endrick. If they choose to insult me, I will not let it affect me. It may be challenging, but it no longer holds any significance to me. Criticism no longer has the power to hurt me.
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Endrick remains resilient in the face of criticism and is particularly troubled by the negative perception of Neymar in Brazil. He points out that in other countries, Cristiano, Messi, and Lewandowski are revered as idols, but in Brazil, it seems that Neymar is not as well-liked. This can be disheartening for the player, but Endrick chooses not to dwell on it in order to maintain a positive mindset. He aims to bring joy to Brazilians through his contributions to the national team.
The Brazilian Ronaldo is one of Endrick’s touchstones in the game. Another is Cristiano Ronaldo, both idols of Real Madrid, his next club. With more than 7.5 million followers on social media, Endrick is starting to get used to being among the biggest stars. He has received messages of congratulations from Ronaldo and also from Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo.
These individuals are exceptional players. They frequently send me messages and leave comments on my Instagram photos. The thought of one day being in their company fills me with joy. However, I must focus on taking each day as it comes. The future is in God’s hands.
In the upcoming month of July, Endrick will be playing alongside Vinícius Júnior, who is also Brazilian and black and has faced racism. Endrick himself experienced similar hurtful insults when he was 10 years old and is disappointed by the lack of consequences for those who perpetrate such acts. “My aunt reported it to the police, but nothing was done,” he shares. “Since we were young, we have known that racists are not punished and that there are no repercussions. That’s why I stand in solidarity with Vini, Rodrygo, and everyone in the football community.”
“I had an amazing experience returning to the national team, where I feel at ease due to my previous experience with the youth team. It was an indescribable and unique feeling for me to be back. I can vividly recall the first time I wore the Brazilian jersey and the chills it gave me. My nerves were on edge as I played against Mexico in Montaigu. I even took a moment to admire myself in the mirror after putting on the shirt. Thankfully, it turned out to be a lucky game for me as I scored a goal. From that point on, I felt more at ease and confident wearing the jersey. It seemed to fit me perfectly and I had a great game. It was a strong performance.”
Due to the challenges he and his parents have faced, Endrick understands the weight of his responsibilities. He takes great joy in playing football and sees it as his career path. He believes that in order for him to succeed, he must first find happiness in what he does. His childhood was not typical, as he did not have the same opportunities to play and attend school as other children. However, he recognizes that it was for a greater purpose and is grateful for the life he has now.
Source: theguardian.com
