Real Madrid plans to send Endrick to France to secure his future

Endrick has become a problem for "Real," and this situation requires an urgent solution. The Brazilian footballer is leaving Madrid this season, having played only 99 minutes in total.

Xabi Alonso gave him pitch time equivalent to the duration of a single TV show episode. According to Fabrizio Romano, 15 European clubs were in contention for Endrick, but the footballer ultimately chose "Lyon."

The alternative? Warming the bench at "Real" while watching Gonzalo Garcia steal the spotlight by scoring four goals in the Club World Cup and overshadowing his career. The financial terms of this deal resemble a charitable favor with an air of condescension: a €1 million loan fee—very little considering the club spent €60 million on the player last year.

There's no purchase option. The salary will be shared equally between the two clubs, much like divorced parents splitting summer camp expenses for their child.

Interestingly, the agreement includes a clause stipulating a minimum number of appearances—about 25 games—or else a penalty is invoked. Clearly, "Real" doesn’t fully trust "Lyon" and legally secured the guarantee of game time for the player.

Former "Lyon" forward Sidney Govou told Le Progrès, "We don’t have enough information to properly evaluate Endrick’s potential. But if a player isn’t getting game time, that usually implies there’s a problem," he said.

This much is true. The transfer saga feels like the script to a thriller with a predictable ending.

Despite hovering on the brink of financial crisis last summer, "Lyon" is currently in fifth place in Ligue 1. Fonseca is performing wonders with the squad.

Endrick will don the number 9 jersey, previously worn by club legends like Memphis Depay, Lisandro Lopez, and Moussa Dembele—a legacy that brings its own weight of responsibility. The deal is beneficial for everyone involved, yet painful for Endrick himself.

"Real" frees up space in the locker room and saves on salaries. Meanwhile, "Lyon" acquires a talent worth €25 million on Transfermarkt at a bargain price.

Endrick will finally get to play. But this is a loan born out of desperation.

When Carlo Ancelotti gave him 847 minutes on the pitch, he managed to score—albeit in the cup. The new coach, however, has largely ignored him—a near death sentence for his progress.

Endrick joins the team on December 29, but due to the transfer window being closed, he won’t be able to play against "Monaco" on January 3 unless the Professional Football League grants an exception. Symbolically, even at "Lyon," there’s a waiting period.

For a player who spent half a year at "Real" like unused furniture, waiting another week isn’t a big deal. The main question is not whether Endrick will score in France.

The real issue is whether he returns to Madrid this summer as a transformed player or becomes another cautionary tale of "hype ruining a career." He has six months in "Lyon" to prove that the problem lies not with him but with Xabi Alonso.

Endrick must also demonstrate that he can perform at a top-club level and ensure his career is not confined to the sidelines. Read “Zamin” on Telegram!