Brazil fans are hoping their latest teenage sensation will emerge as a hero at Copa America 2024, after 17-year-old Endrick Felipe was named in the Selecao tournament squad.
The teenager — more commonly known simply as Endrick — has exploded into the Brazil team in the last 12 months on the back of an incredible rise to first-team stardom at club side Palmeiras.
Brazil have an incredible record of developing exciting forward players and Endrick looks set to follow some illustrious company in the famous yellow jersey in the USA.
If some Copa America supporters have not heard of Endrick before, they will likely know all about him soon, as he looks to make an impact on the big stage.
MORE: Full schedule of matches and latest results at Copa America 2024, updated live
Who is Endrick?
The story of Endrick's rise to fame with Brazil has not been easy. His parents were born into poverty, with his father — a semi-professional footballer in Brasilia — growing up briefly in an orphanage.
Endrick himself has not endured the same level of hardship, but he understands the sacrifices his parents made, telling the Guardian in 2023: "I never went hungry, but my parents did. They starved for me. That gave me a lot of strength because I didn't want to see them do that again. I didn't want to see them in need, give me food and have them go without."
He made his senior first-team debut for Palmeiras in October 2022, just over two months after his 16th birthday, on the back of an unbelievable goal scoring record for their junior teams.
In five years as an academy player, he reportedly netted 165 goals in 169 games, before advancing into the first team and scoring 14 goals in his first full season in 2023.
Endrick's club career, goals, trophies
He was initially eased into the final weeks of Palmerias' 2022 campaign, with three league goals, as they secured the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A title. However, after being promoted permanently into the first team for the 2023 season, his form stepped up, and he played a key role in their title retention.
Ahead of the Copa America 2024 kickoff, Endrick had 21 goals in 82 appearances for Palmeiras across all competitions.
Endrick's Brazil career
His club form at Palmeiras caught the eye of former Brazil interim head coach Fernando Diniz, who handed him a first senior call up in November 2023, after scoring goals for fun at U17 and U19 level.
By making his senior international debut against Colombia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier that month, Endrick became the fourth youngest senior debutant in Brazil's history, and the youngest in 57 years, aged 17 years 3 months and 27 days.
However, Endrick was not done with writing his name in the record books, as he scored a superb friendly winner against England in March, to take fourth spot on the all-time youngest scorer list, just 20 days younger than the iconic Ronaldo Nazario.
Youngest player to score for Brazil since Ronaldo Nazario in 1994.@Endrick pic.twitter.com/EMIEJIXjgQ
— Managing Madrid (@managingmadrid) March 24, 2024
Is Endrick joining Real Madrid?
With so much attention swirling around Endrick's wild goal scoring exploits in Brazil, transfer links to major European clubs started in 2022, but Real Madrid made the first move.
Los Blancos have built up a reputation for securing top Brazilian talent at a young age, with current stars Rodrygo Goes and Vincius Junior proof of their successful policy.
Real Madrid announced a deal had been reached with Palmeiras at the end of 2023 to bring him to the Spanish capital, but not until he turns 18 in July 2024, just a week after the Copa America final.
🟢👋🏻 Endrick ahead of his final game at Palmeiras, as he will join Real Madrid in July.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2024
📸 André Pera pic.twitter.com/CtxuUCweQJ
Due to Endrick's age, Real Madrid were required to include his family in the negotiations, with a three-year contract agreed, as part of an undisclosed transfer fee.
Endrick will link up with Real Madrid after the Copa America, and he will be sharing the limelight with fellow new signing Kylian Mbappe, as Carlo Ancelotti looks to build on their Champions League and La Liga double in 2025.
