Official announcement: Real Madrid striker Endrick joins Ligue 1
On 23 December 2025, French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais officially announced a major development: 19-year-old Brazilian forward Endrick has joined on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season, with a loan fee capped at €1 million and no buy-out clause included in the agreement. This prodigious young talent, once hailed by supporters as ‘Real Madrid's new Ronaldo’ and the subject of immense expectations, has finally found a new direction beyond the Bernabéu's substitute bench. His Ligue 1 adventure now carries the crucial mission of propelling him towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Fast forward to late 2022, when Real Madrid signed the then 16-year-old Endrick for a staggering €60 million. At the time, his explosive physicality, clinical finishing and mature footballing intelligence saw him hailed as Ronaldo's potential successor in Brazilian football. Upon turning 18 in July 2024, Endrick formally joined the Bernabéu. Yet reality fell far short of expectations. This season, competition for Real Madrid's attacking positions has intensified: Mbappé remains at his peak and firmly entrenched as the focal point, while Vinícius and Rodrygo occupy the starting wing positions. Even the experienced substitute striker Joselu has seen limited playing time. Prior to the loan announcement, Endrick had accumulated a mere 99 minutes across all competitions this season – 11 minutes in La Liga, 11 minutes in the Champions League, and 77 minutes in the Copa del Rey. Such sporadic appearances proved wholly inadequate for him to adapt to the demands of Europe's top-tier leagues.
For Endrick, this loan move to Lyon represents a decisive breakthrough. Lyon have grappled with a potent attacking shortage this season, with veteran Alexandre Lacazette's form fluctuating and other forwards struggling for goals. Securing a centre-forward became the club's top priority during the winter transfer window. To secure Endrick's services, Lyon not only pledged core-level playing time but also agreed to cover 50% of his six-month salary. This commitment set them apart from the 15 other European clubs pursuing the youngster. For Real Madrid, this arrangement presents a mutually beneficial outcome: it prevents the young prodigy from languishing on the bench and stifling his potential, while allowing him to hone technical weaknesses—such as back-to-goal play and weak-foot control—through competitive Ligue 1 action. Crucially, it preserves the possibility of his eventual return to the Bernabéu.
Technically, Endrick's strengths align perfectly with Lyon's requirements. Possessing solid fundamentals and agile dribbling, he excels in sudden changes of direction and pace during attacks. Capable of both spearheading assaults on goal and linking play with technical finesse, he delivered an impressive seven goals in limited appearances for Real Madrid this season. Lyon's manager favours a high-pressing style, perfectly suited to harnessing Endrick's enthusiasm and decision-making in intense defensive situations. As analysed by Real Madrid's technical staff, Ligue 1's physical intensity and relatively open style of play could specifically address Endrick's weaknesses, accelerating his development into a complete forward.
Crucially, this loan move is intrinsically linked to Endrick's World Cup aspirations. The 2026 USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup kicks off on 11 June next year, with fierce competition for spots in Brazil's attacking line-up. Should he fail to secure consistent playing time this season, Endrick risks missing out on the tournament. Lyon's promise of a starting role will enable him to compete for a place in the Brazil squad while maintaining match fitness – for this young forward, who has already earned 14 caps and scored three goals for his country, the World Cup stage represents the ultimate test of his credentials as the “new Ronaldo”.
Per the plan, Endrick will formally join Lyon's first team on 29 December, with his Ligue 1 debut potentially coming as early as January 2026. For him, stepping away from Real Madrid's spotlight is not retreat but a strategic move; for Lyon, the €1 million loan fee could yield a striker capable of transforming the club's fortunes. This footballing odyssey spanning the Iberian Peninsula and Western Europe is not merely about the developmental trajectory of a prodigy; it will stand as yet another classic case study in the modern footballing world's “level-up” model for rising stars.
