On Sunday, Lyon striker Endrick scored a hat trick in Metz. The Real Madrid loanee has made a big impact in France, despite playing in an unfamiliar position.
Many Real players have made no secret of the fact that they are not shedding any tears over Xabi Alonso’s departure. Leading the way is Vinicius Junior, who did not attend the coach’s farewell. The former Real coach had repeatedly put his faith in him.
Endrick cannot exactly say the same, as the striker played no role at all under the former Real coach. The 19-year-old missed the start of the season due to a thigh injury, but even after that he was given hardly any opportunities at the Royal Club – no matter how badly Real played. He was allowed to play a total of 99 minutes for Real under Alonso. Nevertheless, Endrick did not want to kick him while he was down. “I learned a lot from Xabi in Madrid,” he praised instead in an interview with Marca. “I benefited greatly from what I heard.”
He is now applying the knowledge he has acquired at his loan club Lyon. The hype surrounding the six-month loan was enormous from the start, with his introductory video being the most viewed ever on the club’s social media channels. But Endrick seems largely unimpressed by the resulting pressure to succeed – at least so far.
The “caged lion” is set free
His debut couldn’t have been more dreamlike. He scored the winning goal in the 2-1 victory in Lille in the Coupe de France, and in his league debut he contributed an assist to the 2-1 win against Brest. Now, in his third appearance, he scored a hat trick in the 5-2 win in Metz. “In his year and a half at Real Madrid, he seemed like a caged lion. But after just three games with Olympique Lyon, it’s clear that his roar can no longer be contained,“ Marca predicted.
At least Endrick is keeping his feet on the ground. ”I’m very happy. It’s my first hat trick and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life,” said the Brazilian, who thanked the team and the coach. His name is Paul Fonseca and he is, of course, extremely satisfied. “Endrick is a special player and we needed him,” praised the Portuguese coach.
Endrick comes in from the right
It is noteworthy that Fonseca is increasingly playing his prominent center forward on the right wing. This is precisely the position that repeatedly caused Alonso headaches at Real. In Madrid, they will certainly take note of Endrick’s explosion in form. The contract of the €47.5 million new signing from the summer of 2024 runs until 2030.