Endrick: 'Mourinho Doesn't Talk to Me About Football'

Brazilian striker Endrick did not rule out the possibility of leaving Spanish club Real Madrid again during the winter transfer window in search of more playing time, according to statements he made on Tuesday in Singapore on the sidelines of his national team’s friendly match against Japan.

The 20-year-old forward said, “I don’t know what will happen in January. All I ask is that the best outcome occurs for my career. Whatever is meant to happen, will happen.”

He added, “I am still young. I am only 20 years old, and I will see what happens. I just want to play, be happy, help my teammates, and score and create goals, as I did in Lyon, where I experienced the best periods of my life.”

In the second half of last season, and amid marginalization at Real Madrid, Endrick was loaned to French club Lyon in a successful stint that opened the door for him to join the Brazil national team, with which he participated in last summer’s World Cup in North America.

During his time at Lyon, he scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 21 matches.

He acknowledged the fierce competition for attacking positions at Real Madrid, saying, “It is an honor for me to be at Real Madrid. But I know that in my position there is one of the best players in the world, the Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, and we all know he is a candidate to win the Ballon d’Or.”

After suffering an injury at the start of the season, Endrick has played only 141 minutes in total, featuring in four La Liga matches and three Champions League games, scoring just one goal.

Despite his limited playing time, Endrick praised his new manager at the Spanish club, Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, saying, “Mourinho is someone I trust greatly. He comes to me every day and asks me, ‘How are you?’ but not about football; always about my personal life. I appreciate that very much. He is among the first coaches to initiate conversation with me and make me feel truly welcome. I am very grateful to him.”

The Brazilian national team will face Japan in a friendly on Saturday, after narrowly defeating them 2-1 in the Round of 32 of this summer’s World Cup.

Three days after the match against Japan, the “Selecao” will face the Singapore national team.