Endrick (foto: Getty Images)
Endrick admits he struggled at Real Madrid but says Jude Bellingham’s support and Luka Modrić’s guidance helped him settle before finding form on loan at Lyon.
Endrick has opened up on his challenging start at Real Madrid, revealing how Jude Bellingham played a key role in helping him adapt both on and off the pitch.
The young Brazilian forward admitted he arrived in Spain with a fixed idea of what Bellingham would be like. That view changed quickly once they began working together every day at the Santiago Bernabéu.
“Bellingham was really important to me. He made me feel welcome at the club. I didn’t speak English very well, but he spoke to me, tried to speak Spanish, stayed by my side and gave me advice,” Endrick said.
“I had a certain impression of him before I arrived, but he was completely different. He’s an incredible player and an incredible person, too. That’s what impressed me the most.”
That support came at a critical moment. Endrick struggled for minutes early in his Madrid spell, while language barriers made daily life more difficult. Bellingham’s presence helped him settle during a period when he felt isolated.
Alongside Bellingham’s influence, Luka Modrić left a strong impression on the teenager. The Croatian midfielder became a reference point for professionalism and consistency.
“Modrić was the player who impressed me the most. He taught me a lot. It was a football masterclass,” Endrick explained.
“He trained every day. Even when he didn’t play, he worked extra. He always gave me advice on what to do on the pitch. That helped me a lot.”
Despite learning from two of the club’s biggest stars, Endrick’s first season did not go as planned. A thigh injury ruled him out for three months and disrupted his momentum at a crucial stage.
The setback had a strong emotional impact. The Brazilian admitted he struggled mentally during the recovery process.
“I was really afraid. I cried several times. You don’t know how your body will respond or if you will come back the same. That affects you a lot,” he said.
“When you get injured, you lose the chance to fight for your place. But I knew I had to keep going.”
The lack of playing time eventually led to a loan move to Lyon, where Endrick has started to rebuild his confidence. He has already contributed four goals and six assists in 13 matches, showing signs of his potential.
His focus now is clear. Perform well in Ligue 1 and secure a place in the Brazil national team for the 2026 World Cup.
“My first desire is to play the World Cup. I need to be there. Before thinking about the title, I need to do my job well at Lyon,” he said.
After a strong cameo against Croatia in March, where he won a penalty and provided an assist, Endrick believes he is moving in the right direction.
With Carlo Ancelotti closely monitoring his progress, the next months will be decisive. For Endrick, the early struggles in Madrid have turned into a learning phase, shaped by the support of Bellingham and the example set by Modrić.