For the average teenager, it’s an accomplishment to just play sports for their school or rec team. For Endrick, the Brazilian wonderkid had already signed for São Paulo’s Palmeiras by age 16, lighting up the Campeonato Brasileiro, playing 100 matches in the past two seasons — 11 of which for the national team. Like any phenom destined for greatness, he’s penned a contract for Real Madrid — but unlike the rest, he’s the youngest player to ever do so.
It’s understandable that anyone joining a team of Galácticos, like the current Los Blancos side — joining Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and the newly minted Kylian Mbappé — would end up just sitting on the bench. Endrick, however, has already made his impact felt, scoring a laser outside the box against Stuttgart in the UEFA Champions League, passing up club legend Raúl as the youngest player to do so.
Inspired by fellow Portuguese-speaking legends, and fellow Madrileños, Ronaldo Nazário and Cristiano Ronaldo, Endrick understands the pressures to succeed at arguably the world’s biggest club. “I’m at the best club in the world, with the best players,” Endrick tells Hypebeast. “We’re here to help, and God willing, win more titles for Madrid, which is the most important thing.”
Joining another family, Endrick was recently named as one of EA SPORTS’ new ambassadors, alongside Colorado Buffalo Travis Hunter, Angel FC’s Alyssa Thompson and motorsport racer Bianca Bustamente. Centered around the gaming giant’s core pillars — authenticity, leadership, competition, self-expression and community — GEN / EA SPORTS is a new athlete engagement program that taps into the gaming giant’s community of athletes and fans, defining the next generation of sports fandom.
To commemorate the moment, Endrick was gifted his own one-of-one varsity jacket embroidered with special patches chronicling his meteoric rise — from the age he made his senior debut, a callout to the Várzea underground football collective his father played in, to special moments and mantras that have coincided with Endrick’s meteoric rise. Hypebeast caught up with the footballer to discuss his ascent on the international stage, his love for gaming, as well as the expectations that he takes on with Madrid and Brazil.
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Can you talk about your recent appointment as a GEN/EA SPORTS athlete and what you and the gaming giant aim to achieve with this initiative?
It’s always been a dream, right? Ever since I entered the world of football, being with EA SPORTS was a goal. Now, I’m here, and I’m really happy about it. I hope to work on many projects with EA SPORTS to help the community and sports. I hope to be with GEN EA Sports forever. I’m very happy to be part of this family with athletes from other sports: American football, Formula 1, and football. And we’ll move forward together.
You’re an avid FC player; who would you say is the best among your Madrid teammates?
I play a lot, quite a lot. I understand and know a lot about what goes on in the game. I know what’s needed to win: speed, shooting, and dribbling. The one who has the most speed in the team is Kylian (Mbappé). He’s a player who’s really good in FC, and I think he has one of the best, if not the best, cards.
If it weren’t for football, what do you think you would have done?
I think I would have been a gamer. That’s what I believe. I really like gaming a lot.
When it comes to football idols, who were yours growing up, both Brazilian and non-Brazilian?
Definitely Cristiano (Ronaldo), for everything he’s done and where he’s played. He’s always been someone I followed and continue to follow in my life.
Do you regularly stay in touch with legendary players like Ronaldo or Roberto Carlos to discuss football and get general life advice?
Yes, I’ve spoken with Ronaldo a lot; I’ve had the chance to have some good chats with him. Here in Madrid, Roberto is with us every day, so we can talk. Of course, there are other players I follow on Instagram, but I haven’t had the chance to talk to them as much. If I ever need to, I can reach out to them for life or football advice.
Even though England invented the game, Brazil is considered the unofficial home of football. Can you talk about the cultural differences and the intensity of training to become a footballer in Brazil?
Training is very different here compared to Brazil. At Real Madrid, we have the best players in the world — players who are always part of their national teams, and some who have already won the World Cup. The level here is the highest possible. I spent some time in Brazil, and it’s really tough to play there, but Real Madrid is on another level. It’s something much, much higher, and I’m grateful to be here learning from great players.
Why do you think Brazil has cultivated some of the greatest football stars in history?
Honestly, I’m not sure because there are other countries with many top-level players who also produce great talent. I believe it’s not just Brazil, but all countries produce a lot of good players. However, as we say in Brazil, we have a certain “flair.” That’s where you get players who make a huge difference — players who love to take on opponents, score goals, and have fun. You’ve seen Neymar, Vini Jr, Rodrigo — players who have done great things in Europe. I hope we can continue being number one when it comes to developing new talent.
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Courtesy Of Ea Sports
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Courtesy Of Ea Sports
How would you describe your playing style?
I can’t really say much, but I’m a persistent guy on the pitch. I’m someone who never gives up on any play during the game. That’s how I would describe myself — nothing more.
How did it feel to receive the welcome jacket from EA SPORTS, and what does it mean to have all your achievements represented on it?
It was amazing for me. I really liked it, but what moved me the most and what I liked most were the significant memories from my career and life that are represented on it, you know? The goals I’ve scored, the achievements I’ve had — it makes me very happy. I’m really happy to have this jacket, and I hope I can earn more in the future.
How would you describe the training and overall vibe of playing for Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world?
First of all, I really like Madrid. It’s a beautiful city where you can relax, and my family also loves it, so that’s a big plus for me. I can’t put into words what Madrid is. I’m at the best club in the world, with the best players. We’re here to help, and God willing, win more titles for Madrid, which is the most important thing. I’m very happy to be here because it’s very difficult to make it to Madrid — it’s the biggest club in the world. Now that I’m here, I just thank God and keep doing my job so I can stay here.
What are your goals for this season? And what about long-term, both on and off the pitch?
My goal is to help Madrid win as many titles as possible and help win matches. That will always be my objective. Off the pitch, one thing I’ve always valued is making my family happy. That’s what I try to do off the pitch, and it’s what I will always strive to do throughout my life.
