Disaster-Class Performance! 0 Shots! 0 Dribbles!

Three weeks ago, in the Copa América quarterfinals, Brazil was eliminated by Uruguay. The young star Endrick, wearing the iconic No. 9 jersey, found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. With only one shot on target and a passing success rate of just 20%, his performance fell far short of expectations. This dismal showing was particularly highlighted by the fact that his only successful pass came from the kickoff. The media, once hailing him as Ronaldo’s successor, quickly turned critical, casting doubts on the young player’s future, especially concerning his "Real Madrid dream."

In front of 43,000 Real Madrid fans, an emotional Endrick expressed his aspirations: "I hope we can write the next heroic chapter together." Unfortunately, Endrick’s debut for Real Madrid was nothing short of disastrous. In 45 minutes, he registered 0 shots and 0 dribbles, with only 5 successful duels out of 2 attempts. Although it was just a friendly match, it was a missed opportunity for the young player to make a strong first impression. Coach Ancelotti, attempting to downplay the disappointment, commented, "He only needs a few meters of sprint to reach top speed."

Comparatively, Jude Bellingham's debut for Real Madrid against AC Milan last summer was markedly better, with 2 key passes, 4 successful duels, and 4 successful dribbles, setting the stage for an impressive first season that earned him the La Liga MVP award. Despite the high standards set by Bellingham, especially given their debuts were against the same opponent, Endrick's poor start drew inevitable comparisons and criticism.

Endrick had shown promise, notably in a friendly against England in March, where he scored the only goal at Wembley, becoming the youngest male scorer in an international match at the iconic stadium at 17 years and 246 days. Bellingham welcomed him to Real Madrid with the words, "Welcome, superstar." Unfortunately, his lackluster debut suggested that such high praise might have been premature.

"God gave me responsibility and a mission," Endrick once declared. However, lofty statements have turned into laughing stock. Although it would be unfair to harshly judge an 18-year-old after one poor performance, the comparisons to Bellingham and the significant transfer fee—potentially reaching €72 million—add pressure. Friendly matches might help filter out some pressure and criticism, but the difficult start highlights the challenges ahead in such a high-stakes environment.

Before joining Real Madrid, Endrick won 5 trophies with Palmeiras, an achievement that would make Harry Kane envious. His agent once praised him as having Ronaldo’s explosiveness and Romário’s calmness. Sadly, his Real Madrid debut painted a different picture. The poor performance has even reignited interest in Kylian Mbappé’s potential move to Real Madrid, highlighting the immense pressure and expectations placed on Endrick.

Is Endrick overvalued at €55 million? His last season with Palmeiras yielded just 4 goals and 2 assists in 22 matches, far from stellar. His focus was questioned by his former coach, who advised him to concentrate on football and not get distracted. His high-profile relationship has also raised concerns about his focus and commitment.

His poor debut and subsequent criticism might seem harsh, but they serve as an important lesson. Instead of shielding young players from criticism with phrases like "the future is bright," it’s crucial to acknowledge the realities and challenges they face. Becoming the subject of ridicule can sometimes be the harsh wake-up call needed for growth and improvement.