Teen Endrick impresses with Brazil
Endrick had the ball in his hands and looked ready to take the late penalty that would give Brazil an equalizer in its friendly against Spain. It was a chance for his second goal of the match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
After a few words with Lucas Paqueta, though, the 17-year-old Endrick handed the ball to his teammate, who converted the stoppage-time penalty for a 3-3 draw on Tuesday. The crowd at the Bernabeu wasn't happy when
Endrick gave the ball away. Many fans from both Spain and Brazil joined forces and jeered.
They wanted to see the newest soccer sensation step up for the big occasion.
It hasn't taken long for fans to start falling in love with Endrick, the latest Brazilian rising star who is off to a great start with Brazil's national team and already has Real Madrid fans excited about seeing him join the Spanish club next season.
Endrick has two goals in two games for Brazil after scoring in Tuesday's friendly at Real Madrid's stadium, only three days after netting the only goal on his national team debut in a 1-0 win against England at Wembley Stadium. That made him the youngest men's player to score an international goal at the venue in London.
“I felt extremely calm,” Endrick told Brazilian media after the draw against Spain. “I had only (previously) entered the Bernabeu to
take some photos, and today I was here to play. I'm incredibly happy.”
Endrick was making only his fourth appearance for Brazil's senior team. The player from Brazilian club Palmeiras was sold to
Madrid for more than US$43.3 million and will arrive at the end of the season after turning 18. But he already looked at home at the Spanish club's stadium.
Endrick came on as a substitute at halftime and scored in the 50th minute to level the game at 2-2 in the “One Skin” international friendly, which was set up to highlight the fight against racism after a series of insults aimed at Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.
“Vini spoke to me about how we need to put Brazil back on top, where it should have never left,” Endrick said.