The rising Real Madrid star Endrick made a grand entrance on the Champions League stage, scoring a jaw-dropping solo goal that left fans at the Santiago Bernabéu in awe.
His stunning strike in stoppage time secured Real Madrid's 3-1 victory over Stuttgart, and manager Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t help but praise the youngster's bravery.
The Brazilian wonderkid's goal was not just any ordinary strike. With Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe as passing options, Endrick ignored them both and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, beating Stuttgart's keeper Alexander Nubel.
The goal made him the youngest player to score for Real Madrid in the Champions League, surpassing a record that stood for over 20 years.
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'He has balls!' — Ancelotti full of praise for Endrick
After the match, Ancelotti couldn’t hide his admiration for the teenager’s boldness. "He has balls! Endrick had courage," the Italian manager said to Movistar. "It was the last move of the game. He went for the most difficult solution, but it worked. He’s shown bravery in every sense."
Even Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, joked about Endrick’s decision to shoot instead of passing. "If he missed, Vinicius and Mbappe would have killed him!" Courtois quipped. "But he has a powerful shot, and if he scores, everyone stays quiet. He’s got real quality."
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The match itself saw plenty of drama. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring just after halftime with his first Champions League goal for Real Madrid.
Stuttgart fought back with an equaliser, but Antonio Rüdiger’s towering header in the 83rd minute restored the lead. Still, it was Endrick’s 95th-minute solo goal that stole the spotlight and secured the win.
As Real Madrid prepare to face Espanyol next, fans will be eager to see if Ancelotti gives Endrick more minutes. One thing is certain: with the "gift" that Ancelotti described, Endrick has all the tools to become a true Real Madrid legend.
