While arriving at Real Madrid as a teenager from another continent is the stuff of dreams for many, the actual reality of uprooting your life at such a young age and having an almighty weight of expectation placed on your shoulders is something else entirely.
For Brazilian starlet Endrick, swapping Sao Paulo for Madrid has not come without its challenges.
There have been ups and downs during Endrick’s short time in the Spanish capital so far, but he has been able to rely on the support of one key figure.
Endrick on his friendship with Jude Bellingham
England midfielder Jude Bellingham knows more than most about the pressures of moving abroad at a young age. The Stourbridge-born star was just 17 when he swapped Birmingham City for Borussia Dortmund after completing a £25million transfer to the Bundesliga heavyweights in 2020.
After three successful seasons in Germany, Bellingham, who was still only 19, was snapped up by Real Madrid for €103 million an quickly established himself as a key player at the Bernabeu - and the perfect role model for Madrid’s next batch of talented imports.
“He’s a great man and a great friend,” Endrick tells FourFourTwo when asked about his relationship with Bellingham. “On my first day at the club, he came to talk to me, asked how I was and whether I liked the city.
The good thing about Jude is that he makes a big effort to adapt to wherever he lives. He already speaks some Spanish.
“When I arrived, he didn’t speak much, but he still tried to make me feel comfortable. At the same time, I improved my English and we started talking more.”
Despite making a fast start with goals on both his La Liga and Champions League debuts, life in Spain hasn’t all been plain sailing for Endrick, who suffered a hamstring injury last summer and subsequently struggled to get into the team under Xabi Alonso during the first half of the campaign.
A loan move to Lyon followed in January, where he has scored six goals and provided five assists in 14 appearances, to see him earn a Brazil recall.
And the teenager credits Bellingham with helping him through an early tricky patch in his career.
“When I wasn’t playing much, I spoke to him about my future and he advised me to do what was best for my career,” Endrick continues. “We still keep in touch now. He’s an exceptional player – I don’t need to say much about that because everyone knows his quality – but he’s also a great person and always available for his friends.
“I thank him for welcoming me so well at Real Madrid and for the friendship we’re building.”
