Real Madrid’s Endrick has been thrust into the spotlight after receiving rare criticism from manager Carlo Ancelotti following his first La Liga start. The 18-year-old Brazilian, who has already turned heads with his prolific scoring in the Copa del Rey, was handed an opportunity to impress in Madrid’s narrow 1-0 win over Getafe. 

However, a missed one-on-one chance and a swift substitution for Jude Bellingham brought his performance and his readiness for the demands of the Bernabéu under scrutiny as he received criticism from head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Endrick: A Missed Opportunity

Endrick, who joined Real Madrid from Palmeiras last summer, had previously played limited minutes in La Liga but impressed in the Copa del Rey, where he has scored five goals in five appearances. With that, he became the club’s most prolific scorer in the competition since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013. 

Against Getafe, Endrick was handed his first league start and played nearly 40 minutes, the longest he has ever featured in a La Liga match this season. During the match, he had two notable chances. The first was well-executed but stopped by the defense. 

However, the second opportunity, a one-on-one with Getafe goalkeeper David Soria, saw Endrick attempt a chip that was easily saved—a decision Ancelotti did not appreciate. Within minutes of the miss, Ancelotti substituted Endrick with Jude Bellingham.

Ancelotti’s Criticism of Endrick

After the match, Ancelotti did not mince words. “He’s young and has to learn, but those things don’t exist in football. He has to shoot as hard as he can. This isn’t a theater club,” he said.

Ancelotti also emphasized that there is no room for “clowning around” or unnecessary embellishments at Real Madrid, especially in crucial moments.

Despite his struggles for league minutes, Endrick has managed to score seven goals across all competitions. The fierce competition in Madrid’s attack, with stars like Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo, has limited his opportunities.

With the lack of opportunities, Endrick and Real Madrid seem open to the possibility of a loan. According to the media outlet Relevo, Endrick does not wish to have a repeat of his situation this season, and would be willing to spend a season away on a loan to focus on his development as a player. 

Ancelotti’s criticism reflects the high standards at Real Madrid and the pressure on young talents to deliver immediately. For now, the club still seems to continue seeing him as a long-term project and is weighing the best way to nurture his talent for the future.