Real Madrid New No.9: Endrick Wins the Battle for Iconic Shirt

Endrick Named Real Madrid’s New No.9 Ahead of 2025–26 Season

For weeks, the question of Real Madrid’s new No.9 had been a hot topic in Spanish football circles. Now, we have our answer: it’s Endrick. The 18-year-old Brazilian sensation has been handed one of the most storied shirts in football, beating out Gonzalo Garcia for the honour — and the pressure that comes with it.

The decision marks a clear statement of intent from Xabi Alonso, who steps into his first full season as Madrid boss with an eye on both the present and the future.

From Rumour to Reality

When Luka Modric’s departure was confirmed earlier this summer, it triggered a domino effect in Madrid’s shirt hierarchy. Kylian Mbappé — who had worn the No.9 during his debut campaign — moved to the vacant No.10, immediately leaving fans wondering who would step into the legendary number.

Two names quickly emerged as frontrunners: Endrick, the precociously gifted Brazilian forward signed from Palmeiras, and Gonzalo Garcia, the 21-year-old academy product who caught the eye with a string of confident displays in last season’s Club World Cup.

For a while, Garcia seemed to have the edge. Multiple Spanish outlets reported that Alonso valued his chemistry with Mbappé and saw him as the more polished option for the here and now. Behind the scenes, there was even talk that Endrick could be sent out on loan to continue his development.

But in football, plans change. By the time Madrid’s pre-season tour wrapped up, Endrick’s performances — and perhaps his sheer sense of occasion — had swung the pendulum in his favour.

The Weight of History

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Wearing the No.9 shirt at Real Madrid isn’t just about what you can do on the pitch; it’s about the legacy you inherit. This is the number worn by Alfredo Di Stéfano, Hugo Sánchez, Ronaldo Nazário, and most recently, Karim Benzema — men who didn’t just score goals, they defined eras.

When you pull on the No.9 at the Bernabéu, you’re not just leading the line; you’re expected to carry the club’s attacking identity. You’re the focal point, the reference for every cross, through ball, and counterattack.

For Endrick, it’s a massive leap of faith from the club. At 18, he’s still learning the rhythms of European football, yet Madrid’s hierarchy clearly believe he has the mentality to thrive under the brightest lights.

Alonso’s Gamble

There’s no hiding from the fact that this is a bold move from Alonso. Real Madrid ended last season without a major trophy, and the pressure to deliver silverware is already simmering. Many managers would opt for the safer choice in Garcia — a player with more senior experience in Spain and already comfortable in the system.

Instead, Alonso has gone with the player who represents Madrid’s future, even if it means riding out a few growing pains. His thinking appears to be that if Endrick is going to be Madrid’s main striker one day, why not start that process now?

It’s also worth noting that Mbappé’s shift to No.10 signals a slightly different role for the Frenchman — perhaps dropping deeper or drifting wide — which could leave more space for a central, penalty-box predator like Endrick to flourish.

What This Means for Garcia

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For Gonzalo Garcia, the news will sting, but it’s hardly a career-defining setback. Alonso is expected to rotate heavily, particularly in the early months, and Garcia will still get his chances — in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and potentially in Champions League group stages.

In some ways, this decision frees Garcia from the heavy expectations that come with the No.9 shirt. Without the constant comparisons to Benzema or Ronaldo, he can focus on carving out his own identity within the squad.

The Road Ahead

Madrid’s decision to anoint Endrick as their new No.9 doesn’t just speak to Alonso’s belief in the player — it also reflects the club’s long-term strategy. They didn’t spend big money to bring him from Brazil only to treat him as a peripheral figure.

If Endrick delivers, the move could look visionary. If he struggles, critics will inevitably ask why a teenager was given one of the most demanding roles in world football so soon.

But football, especially at Madrid, has always been about taking risks for glory. As Alfredo Di Stéfano once said, “No one remembers runners-up.” Alonso will be hoping that philosophy applies not only to trophies but also to shirt number decisions.

Symbolism Beyond the Pitch

The timing of the announcement — just days before Madrid’s La Liga opener — adds an extra layer of symbolism. This isn’t a quiet internal decision; it’s a statement to the fans, to the league, and to Europe: Madrid are betting on youth, on potential, and on the belief that the next superstar can emerge from within their ranks rather than from another blockbuster signing.

Endrick’s unveiling in the No.9 is expected to take place in front of fans at the Santiago Bernabéu before next weekend’s first league game. Expect plenty of camera flashes, chants, and more than a few nods to the greats who came before him.

Final Whistle

From the moment Modric’s exit shifted the numbers around, the debate over Madrid’s next No.9 was inevitable. In choosing Endrick over Garcia, Alonso has sent a clear message: the future starts now.

It’s a decision drenched in both risk and romance — risk because of Endrick’s age and inexperience, romance because every Madridista dreams of seeing a prodigy rise to stardom in the famous white shirt.

Now, with one of football’s most iconic numbers on his back, Endrick carries both the hopes of the fans and the weight of history. Whether he can turn that into goals and glory remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on Madrid’s new No.9 when the season kicks off.