Endrick’s hopes of breaking through at Real Madrid are dimmed as Gonzalo Garcia’s rapid rise pushes him further to the fringes.
There is an Endrick vs Gonzalo Garcia battle brewing at Real Madrid.
Endrick might have made the move to Real Madrid last summer, but they had already struck a deal for him back in 2022. The teenage striker had an exceptional rise at Palmeiras, and at just 16, he was considered one of the best young talents in the world.
As a result, Los Blancos agreed to a deal worth up to €72 million. Even before he made his debut for the Spanish giants, the young striker was handed his Brazil debut. While he is certainly a special talent, his future at Real Madrid looks uncertain following the rise of Gonzalo Garcia under Xabi Alonso.
Gonzalo Garcia’s dream run at the Club World Cup
After a season full of struggles, Real Madrid headed to the Club World Cup with quite a few injury concerns. With some of their top forwards unavailable, Alonso was forced to look at their youth academy for a number nine. He ended up handing Gonzalo Garcia a promotion to the first team.
While he had already made a few appearances for the senior side, the 21-year-old had never really had such an extended run in the team. He started their opening fixture against Al-Hilal and bagged a goal. Garcia contributed towards a goal in each of their fixture until the semi-final, where they were knocked out by PSG.
He finished with four goals and an assist in 450 minutes of first-team action at the global event. Garcia certainly made the most out of the opportunities he had, and he now looks set to have an important role in their team going ahead.
Will Gonzalo Garcia’s rise hamper Endrick?
During his debut campaign at Real Madrid, Endrick was involved in a total of 37 matches, but he was on the pitch for just 847 minutes. While the majority of his appearances were short cameos towards the end of games, he still finished with seven goals and an assist.
It could be considered a very promising debut season given how difficult it is to break into Madrid’s first team at that age. While the start was impressive, Endrick was hoping to have a more prominent role this time around. With Rodrygo expected to be on the move, it could have been a possibility.
However, a lot has changed while the Brazil international was nursing a muscle injury during the Club World Cup. While Rodrygo could be on his way out, Franco Mastantuono is here to replace him. More importantly, Garcia seems to have made the backup striker’s role his own. So, Endrick cannot really be guaranteed minutes next season.
Endrick’s World Cup dream
Following the emergence of Garcia, Endrick has constantly been linked with a loan move away from the club. Multiple top clubs are interested in having the 19-year-old in their ranks on a temporary basis. However, recent reports suggest the Brazilian striker is not keen on leaving.
The youngster wants to continue at the club and fight his way into Xabi Alonso’s plans. Endrick wants to walk down the same road that Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo have. He wants to compete with the best on a daily basis and push his way into the XI.
While he seems quite determined to do it the hard way, it could certainly hamper his plans to be at the next World Cup. The teenager has already made a handful of appearances for the national team, but to ensure he is at the main event next summer, the Real Madrid striker needs regular game time.
If he fails to get enough minutes at the Spanish club, it could hamper his dream of doing wonders at the global event, as Brazil certainly have no shortage of attackers. A move away from Real Madrid might be risky, as he could end up being one of those forgotten stars. However, it could also work in his favour, helping him to make it to the World Cup and return to the club with a stronger case to have an important role in the first team.
Endrick vs Gonzalo Garcia
Endrick’s hamstring injury gave Gonzalo Garcia a head start during the Club World Cup, and with the Brazilian set to be out for another two months after suffering a recurrence of the same injury, the future does not really look bright for him.
Gonzalo Garcia has already made quite an impression on Xabi Alonso, and with Endrick out injured, the 21-year-old will get plenty more opportunities in the initial phase of the new season. Not only can he further bolster his reputation, but his performances could also push the Brazilian further down the pecking order.
Apart from what went down at the Club World Cup and the fact that Endrick is out with an injury, there is a significant difference in the playing style of both forwards. Garcia might prefer playing as a number nine, but he can give a lot more to the defensive side of things.
He put in a lot of effort pressing the opposition and tracking back during the global event a few weeks ago. While Endrick can also drop deep, he prefers staying higher up the pitch. There is a significant difference in the off-the-ball work rate between the two.
The Brazilian is an out-and-out goalscorer who loves taking shots at every possible opportunity. Meanwhile, Garcia is more of a team player who thrives on linking up with others. While he can certainly find the back of the net, he offers much more in other aspects of the game.
One of the biggest differences between them is that the Spanish youth international could pose a greater aerial threat. The difference in profile suggests García could be a better fit for Alonso’s system. However, Endrick’s natural talent is on another level, and once he gets going, he’ll be very difficult to stop in the final third.
Should Endrick consider a loan move?
With Real Madrid open to a loan move for Endrick to protect his development, the 19-year-old remains insistent on staying and fighting for his spot in the squad.
But determination alone may not be enough. While Endrick is sidelined, Garcia continues to seize every opportunity, strengthening his claim as Alonso’s preferred backup striker. By the time the Brazilian returns from injury, the gap in minutes and trust the manager could be difficult to bridge.
From a career perspective, a loan makes increasing sense. Regular minutes elsewhere would let Endrick maintain sharpness, keep his World Cup dream alive, and return to Madrid with greater maturity and leverage.
Remaining benched risks stalling his development, especially given Brazil’s fierce competition for attacking spots. Ultimately, Endrick’s resolve to succeed at the highest level cannot be questioned. But with Garcia’s trajectory only rising, patience alone may not reward him.
Though loyalty to Real Madrid’s shirt is admirable, a strategic loan may just be the string he needs to pull to keep his World Cup hopes and long-term prospects at the Santiago Bernabeu alive. If he continues to resist and the gamble pays off, history will remember his boldness. If not, a winter move may become his only remaining card.
