Last Updated: March 28, 2024, 15:33 IST
Endrick in action for Brazil (Credit: X)
Aged 17 years and 246 days, Endrick became the youngest senior international goal scorer ever at the historic Wembley Stadium.
Dorival Junior, the new head coach of the Brazil men’s national football team, got his managerial reign for Brazil off to a positive start during the March 2024 international friendlies. And, he had one man to thank the most for remaining undefeated in his first two games as the Selecao manager: the young phenom Endrick.
In the past week, the Real Madrid-bound teenager scored a goal each against both England at Wembley and Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu, his future home. Against England, Endrick came on in the 71st minute to replace future Real Madrid teammate Rodrygo. Nine minutes later, he found himself in the right position to tap in the rebound after Vinicius Junior’s shot was parried by Jordan Pickford. It was enough for Brazil to win the game and for Dorival Junior to begin his tenure on a positive note.
It was Endrick’s first goal for the Brazil senior national football team, which came in his third cap for the country. Aged 17 years and 246 days, he also became the youngest senior international goal scorer ever at the historic Wembley Stadium.
Then, in the Spain-Brazil anti-racism friendly at the Bernabeu, Dorival Junior handed Endrick more minutes, as he brought the youngster on at the half-time interval in place of Raphinha.
Trailing 2-1 against an in-form Spain side, Brazil didn’t have to wait long to equalise after half-time. In the 50th minute, following a corner, the scuffle for the ball fell at the feet of Endrick, whose first-time left-footed volley found the back of the net and gave Brazil a new lease of life. The match eventually ended in a 3-3 draw.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez met Endrick after the game and had a message for him. “We are all waiting for you here,” Perez told the Palmeiras prodigy before asking Rodrygo for his shirt.
⚪️🇧🇷 “We are all waiting for you here”, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez tells Endrick after the game.…and then he gets Rodrygo’s shirt. 👕 pic.twitter.com/RaM7W8GYxz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 26, 2024
It was Endrick’s first goal at the Bernabeu, the ground he’ll be calling his home as a Real Madrid player next season onwards. It was the first of many goals the 17-year-old will score at the legendary stadium. His performances over the two friendlies, where he scored two goals, have given Madridistas plenty of excitement ahead of his imminent arrival in the Spanish capital.