Endrick praises Ancelotti, Neymar and Bellingham as he eyes the 2026 World Cup

Brazilian striker Endrick, a 19‑year‑old Real Madrid signing currently on loan at Olympique Lyonnais, has given several interviews to the Men in Blazers podcast. He described coach Carlo Ancelotti as a “great paizão” who understands players personally, and named Neymar as the contemporary Brazilian legend whose “DNA” epitomises the nation’s football. Endrick also recalled his childhood idol Cristiano Ronaldo and credited his rapid development to regular game time at Lyon, where he scored eight goals and provided eight assists in six months.

He revealed daily support from teammate Jude Bellingham during his early days at Real Madrid, calling the English midfielder’s phone calls a key factor in his adaptation. Endrick’s performances helped Brazil to a 2‑1 win over Egypt in June 2026 and have boosted viewership of Ligue 1 in Brazil, with a reported 281 % audience increase. His mother praised Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez for welcoming her son, and Endrick emphasized his desire to be a positive role model for Brazilian children.

Endrick is set to return to Real Madrid after the World Cup, where Brazil will face Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C.