Endrick’s World Cup dream fades as Ancelotti keeps him on the bench

The favela-born teenager who signed for Real Madrid for €45 million now finds himself reduced to three substitute appearances at the World Cup. Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa (19) has spent more time watching than playing, despite Neymar’s and Raphinha’s injuries. Vanavond om 22.00 uur plays Brazil — with or without Endrick — against Norway in the Round of 16. The omission has sparked a wave of memes online, each one mocking Carlo Ancelotti’s reluctance to start the teenager. In one clip, the 67-year-old Italian coach dons the yellow shirt himself, claiming Endrick is the only available striker. The social-media frenzy centres on Ancelotti’s refusal to grant Endrick a starting berth. Fans have turned the dilemma into humour: one meme shows the coach facing a choice between starting Endrick or turning into a cow, complete with images of a herbivore raising an eyebrow in Ancelotti’s trademark style. Endrick’s rise from a São Paulo favela to multimillionaire status has made him a symbol of hope for nearly fifty million Brazilians living below the poverty line. His father once sold coffee and biscuits in metro stations to support the family; his mother slept on the floor because the household could not afford a bed.

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The turning point came when Endrick signed his first professional contract at sixteen — with Palmeiras, the club where his father worked as a cleaner on matchdays. Within a year, he moved to Real Madrid for €45 million and his financial future was secured. Endrick’s modest background has not been forgotten by Brazilian supporters, who forgive his newfound celebrity lifestyle. The striker married model Gabriely Miranda in 2024 under a notarised agreement that includes daily declarations of love, a ban on public arguments, and restrictions on social-media interactions with people of the opposite sex. His playing time at Real Madrid dwindled after Xabi Alonso succeeded Ancelotti. In 2024/25, Endrick made 37 appearances and scored seven goals, but in the following season under Alonso he managed just 99 minutes across two matches.

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Seeking gametime, Endrick was loaned to Olympique Lyon in December 2025. “During those six months in France my life changed completely,” he said. In the Ligue 1 second half of the season he scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 21 games. Yet the Brazilian public’s hope for a starring role at this World Cup remains unfulfilled. Endrick has played only 27 minutes against Haiti, nine against Scotland, and one half against Japan. His off-target goal against Haiti was greeted with cheers from the stands, underscoring his immense popularity despite limited minutes.