Endrick Wants to Spend His Whole Career at Real Madrid
Brazilian forward Endrick said during the press conference after his presentation as a new Real Madrid player that, despite being only 18, he wants to spend his entire career at the club.
"I've always loved Real Madrid. I'm super happy and I hope to stay here my whole life, to help Real Madrid. I'm really happy to have signed with the president and to feel what it's like to be a Real Madrid player. I want to spend my whole life here, and that's what I'm going to try to do because that's what I want for my career," he said.
"I'm in love with Real Madrid and I want to be here. I wanted to come here; it was my dream since I was a kid, and nothing else mattered to me. When the negotiations started, the only thing I asked my dad was if Real Madrid was involved; I didn't care about any other team. Thank God, I’ve fulfilled my dream of playing for the club I always dreamed of. I hope to spend my whole career at Real Madrid," he added.
Endrick, who was accompanied by the club's director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueño, insisted that he was living "a childhood dream" and thanked God for helping him achieve it.
He also said he hadn't planned the tears he shed during his unveiling and explained how important Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo was in his desire to wear white. "Since I was little, I've loved Real Madrid because someone came into my life, Cristiano Ronaldo. I came to Real Madrid because of him; he made me want to learn more about the club. Years ago, I looked up all the idols, and since I was a kid, I've been in love and amazed by Real Madrid. Playing here now is incredible for me. I didn't want to cry, but it just came from my soul. I hope we can make history together," he said.
Endrick spoke about his relationship with other Brazilian internationals who will be his teammates, like Éder Militão, Rodrygo Goes, and Vinícius Jr.: "The three of them have helped me a lot. They also talked to me about Real Madrid when it was getting closer, telling me about the training, the matches. I hope we can have a strong friendship to help Real Madrid, which is what matters most."
Regarding them, he didn't want to compare who will have a better career at a younger age: "I think everyone has their own life. We can't compare who will do better or have a better career start. The important thing is being at Real Madrid, and we'll do everything possible for Real Madrid to win, no matter what."
"Real Madrid is a huge, wonderful club. I'm here to help and to learn. I hope to have a good season. Vinicius has had a great career, and I hope he continues. He always helps me. Neither you, nor I, nor anyone knows what's going to happen in the future. Only God knows, and I leave it in his hands; he knows what's going to happen," he added.
About the reception, he said he didn't expect so many people in the stands and noted that when he's played against European teams, "you can feel the speed of the game" and "it's a different way of playing" compared to what he was used to in Brazil.
The striker said he wants to win all the titles with the club and insisted he doesn't think about individual stats: "My mentality is to help, to work hard for my team, to do things for my team. That's always in my head, to help in any way needed. Whether it's scoring or assisting... that's my mentality, and it always will be. It was like that at Palmeiras and with the national team, and it won't be different here."
He also showed a willingness to learn: "I'm sure I'll learn a lot from amazing players. I'm focused on learning, and whenever someone gives me advice, I'll follow it because I can learn a lot from them. I'm really focused on learning and helping my team."
He also highlighted the importance of his family, saying his parents are the "key" to his life and he wouldn't be where he is without them: "For a while now, what matters to me is them, and if they're happy, so am I. Seeing my mom and dad crying also touched my heart because it's a dream for them too. They're the key to my life, and if it weren't for them, I wouldn't be here today."
"I felt a lot of pressure at first, but honestly, I stopped paying attention to it because what I want is for my family to be happy, and for that, I have to play well, be with them, and not worry about the pressure. I imagine that if I score, I'll see the happiness on their faces, also if my team wins. I want everyone around me to be happy," he concluded.