Ancelotti: 'Brazilian boys do not improve because they do not play' — Endrick's 2027 exit ranked

Carlo Ancelotti told reporters during the international break that the problem for Brazil's most gifted youngsters is not ability — it is opportunity. "The problem for Brazilian boys is that they do not improve because they do not play," the Real Madrid manager said.

"It is happening to Endrick, but also to other talents such as Estêvão: they go to Europe at 18 or 19, they arrive at big clubs and do not find space. Without playing they cannot progress," Ancelotti added. "We have very promising young players and we have to follow their development."

Endrick, 20, was meant to be the poster boy for Brazil's next generation, but is instead becoming a warning to his contemporaries about the dangers of moving abroad too soon, according to www.si.com.

The warning lands as Endrick's own career at Real Madrid stalls. Since joining the club for big money in the summer of 2024, he has struggled to make an impact on the first team, while his limited game time has threatened to stunt his progress from wonderkid to top talent.

A productive spring out on loan at Lyon in the second half of 2025–26 showed the potential is still there, but the arrival of new signings Yan Diomande and Carlos Espíndola, along with new manager José Mourinho, have pushed Endrick further out of the picture at Madrid — where he has made just one substitute appearance so far this season.

Madrid resisted loaning the young forward out this summer, but a January transfer now appears inevitable, with several clubs reportedly interested in a loan deal.

ENDRICK'S MADRID STALL

The numbers from Lyon tell one story; the bench at Madrid tells another. Endrick has made just one substitute appearance so far this season, a cameo that does little to build on the eight goals and eight assists he produced in 21 matches for Lyon.

The arrival of new signings Yan Diomande and Carlos Espí, along with new manager José Mourinho, has pushed Endrick further out of the picture. A role wide on the right — one he was initially expected to reprise this term — evaporated before the season even took shape.

Madrid resisted loaning the young forward out this summer, banking on him forcing his way into the rotation. That bet has not paid off. The competition for minutes is steeper, the manager is new, and the 20-year-old's path to regular football has narrowed to almost nothing.

A January transfer now appears inevitable, with several clubs reportedly interested in a loan deal. The identity of those clubs is not confirmed, and no side has been named as having made an official offer — but the direction of travel is clear. Endrick's development depends on finding regular playing time, per Ancelotti's warning, and Madrid's current setup is not the place to find it.