Crying When Introduced By Real Madrid, Endrick: Used To Be A Fan, Now A Player

Striker Endrick was introduced as a Real Madrid player. (X/@realmadrid)

JAKARTA - Striker Endrick burst into tears when he was introduced as a Real Madrid player, Saturday, July 27, 2024. After two years of waiting, Endrick, who was a child, has officially become a player in the Spanish La Liga giant club.

Endrick had to wait 584 days before officially joining Madrid. Yes, he was recruited by Madrid from Palmeiras when he was 16 years old.

Because FIFA rules don't allow clubs to bring players from outside their country if they haven't reached 18, Endrick continues to play at Palmeiras.

This pattern was carried out by Madrid when bringing the Brazilian duo which is now the team pillar. Vinicius Junior was recruited when he was 16 in 2017 and Rodrygo the following year. At that time, Rodrygo was still 17 years old.

Like seniors, Endrick still played for two years in Brazil's Serie A before flying to Spain for medical tests and was officially introduced as a Madrid player.

When introduced before supporters, Endrick said that joining Madrid, which is the largest club in the world, is like a dream come true. Even as a child playing at the SSB Real Madrid Foundation, Endrick had wanted to wear Los Blancos jersey.

"It's really crazy," said Endrick, who is fluent in Spanish. "I feel very happy. Since I was a child, I've been a Madrid fan. Now, I play for Madrid," said he, who cried while speaking in front of 43 thousand Madrid supporters. He had wiped his tears before continuing his sentence.

His father, Douglas Ramos, who was among the fans, also cried. He and his family then went on stage to join his son.

"Now, I'm here. I really want to play. I'm really happy. The same goes for my family. I have no more words to express this feeling," he said.

Meanwhile, Madrid President Florentino Perez said that Endrick's belief as a child that eventually brought him to the Santiago Bernabeu.

"The current moment is your dream as a child," said Perez. "That belief brings you to fulfill that dream. Dreams when you were nine play at the [SSB] Real Madrid Foundation," he said.

"Your goal and the goals you scored brought fans here. Madrid are delighted to welcome you as part of the family," said Perez.

Even though he has officially joined, Endrick will not follow the team to the United States on a pre-season tour. ESPN sources at the club said coach Carlo Ancelotti did not call the striker whose full name Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa to join the US. On the tour, Madrid played three test matches against AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.

After undergoing a pre-season tour, Madrid faced Europa League champions Atalanta at the UEFA Super Cup. The match was held in Warsaw, Poland, August 14, 2024. Furthermore, Los Merengues played their first match of La Liga against Mallorca, August 18, 2024.

Endrick, who was found by the scouting leader or talent search for the club, Juni Calafat, will compete with compatriots Vinicius and Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe in front of Madrid. The club won the competition with Barca, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain who tried to sign Endrick.

Endrick had skyrocketed when he was a junior. He became the youngest player when he made his Palmeiras debut in October 2022. At that time, he was 16 years old, two months and 16 days old.

He is also the second youngest player to score in the history of the Brazilian league. Endrick also brought Palmeiras to win the Serie A title in Brasileiro.