Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa has become, in the words of Leila Pereira, president of Palmeiras, “the biggest sale in the history of Brazilian football”.
Real Madrid have paid a fixed price of around 35 million euros… but the operation could go up to 60m depending on several variables.
He is only 16 years old, but he has burst onto the scene: he has three goals and one assist in 306 minutes with the first team.
However, his value is based on his potential rather than his current worth.
“It’s a shame we’re not going to see much of Endrick here in Brazil. He’ll be better than Romario and Ronaldo,” lamented former Brazilian international Jose Ferreira Neto on Rede Bandeirantes.
Endrick’s heatmap: Source: InStat
It’s time to solve the million dollar question: how does Endrick play? First clarification: he is not like Vinicius or Rodrygo.
The ‘jewel’ of Palmeiras, unlike his compatriots, does not play as a winger. He plays as a No.9. He is, therefore, a bet for the future to succeed Karim Benzema.
Second clarification: he is a penalty box striker, but not a goal-hanger. He is left-footed, but nobody should think of him as the new Erling Haaland.
His physique and his style – he is 1.73 metres tall – make him more closely ‘related’ to Romario.
“On my social networks they always compare me to him. They say he was a guy who moved very well in the area and that’s what I’m trying to do, even scoring headed goals, like him, without being too tall,” Endrick said a year ago on UOL Esporte.
It’s a comparison reinforced by journalist Diego Iwata: “He has more of Romario and Ronaldo than Vinicius. He is less fantasy and more finishing. He is small, short and decides quickly.”
He handles short distances well, having a ‘sixth sense’ to win rebounds/dead balls in the area.
He also gets past his physical disadvantage with the electricity of his movements. He is a ‘gunslinger’: he executes very fast, not only when shooting, but also when turning.
In terms of finishing, he is quite accurate. And yet his shot is not characterised by being too powerful. Quite the opposite.
