Real Madrid Weigh Loan Move for Endrick Amid Growing Doubts Over Xabi Alonso Game Time

Brazilian teen Endrick could be set for temporary exit as Real Madrid assess forward options under new boss Xabi Alonso

When Real Madrid announced the signing of Endrick in late 2022, fans across the globe could barely contain their excitement. Touted as the next great Brazilian phenomenon, comparisons with the likes of Ronaldo Nazário and Romário were thrown around with the ease of a no-look pass. But fast-forward to the summer of 2025, and the script is beginning to shift.

According to Spanish outlet Cadena SER, Los Blancos are considering sending Endrick out on loan for the 2025-26 season. Despite the teenager’s own wishes to stay and fight for his place in the Spanish capital, Real’s sporting hierarchy – now under the leadership of new head coach Xabi Alonso – believe a temporary move could be the best decision for his development.

The backdrop to this shift is as complex as it is intriguing. Endrick, who turns 19 later this month, arrived at Real Madrid with sky-high expectations. But with the club now boasting an embarrassment of attacking riches and with academy talents stepping up impressively, there is a growing sense that the Brazilian could struggle for regular playing time.

Endrick’s reality at Real Madrid: Star-studded competition and reduced opportunity

The situation took a more defined turn during Real Madrid’s campaign at the Club World Cup in the United States. Endrick missed the start of the tournament due to injury and was unable to make his mark in the early rounds. In his absence, 19-year-old academy product Gonzalo Garcia seized the spotlight.

Garcia has been a revelation, scoring four goals and providing an assist in five appearances, staking his claim as one of the club’s most exciting young forwards. His emergence, coupled with the arrival of Kylian Mbappé and the continued brilliance of Vinicius Junior, has further clouded Endrick’s immediate future at the Santiago Bernabéu.

And then there’s Franco Mastantuono, the 16-year-old Argentine prodigy who is set to join Real later this year. Add in Rodrygo’s versatility and Arda Güler’s rising status, and Alonso’s front-line options are brimming with competition.

Xabi Alonso’s tactical vision: A winger’s role for Endrick?

In a recent behind-closed-doors meeting held in the U.S., Endrick reportedly sat down with Real Madrid chief José Ángel Sánchez to discuss his role in the team. As reported by Spanish journalist Jorge Picón, Alonso envisions using Endrick primarily as a right winger — a notable shift for a player who made his name as a central striker at Palmeiras.

That revelation was met with some concern. While Endrick has the pace and footwork to operate out wide, he’s at his most dangerous through the middle — using his low centre of gravity, explosive acceleration, and instinctive finishing to punish defences. A transition to the flank could mean adapting his game significantly, all while competing for minutes with more established wide players.

The loan option: Germany or France calling?

Endrick Gonzalo Garcia Xabi Alonso real madrid

Faced with this conundrum, Real Madrid’s directors appear to be leaning towards a loan move. Clubs in France and Germany, many of whom had already registered interest in Endrick last season, are said to have rekindled talks. The Bundesliga, in particular, is seen as an ideal development ground, given its emphasis on youth, attacking football, and high-tempo transitions.

For Endrick, such a move might come as a personal disappointment — especially after making sacrifices and working tirelessly to arrive in Madrid. But a season of consistent starts and real pressure elsewhere in Europe might be the very thing he needs to unlock the next stage of his career.

It’s not the first time Real Madrid have taken this approach with young talent. The club has often opted for temporary spells to aid player development — Martin Ødegaard, Takefusa Kubo, and Brahim Diaz all followed a similar path before returning to stake a claim in the first team.

Balancing ambition with realism: Real Madrid’s Endrick dilemma

There’s no question that Real Madrid remain committed to Endrick’s long-term future. He is viewed internally as a player with the potential to become a cornerstone of the next generation. However, the club is also aware of the risks of stagnation — especially for young players denied competitive minutes in their formative years.

Xabi Alonso, now tasked with transitioning Madrid into a new era of football after Carlo Ancelotti’s decorated reign, must carefully manage egos, expectations, and squad balance. Endrick, with his pedigree and pressure, presents both a great opportunity and a delicate challenge.

Should Alonso fail to find meaningful minutes for him, both the player and club could suffer. A loan, therefore, begins to make pragmatic sense — as much a tool for growth as it is for patience.

A future still full of promise

There’s still every reason to believe that Endrick will blossom into one of world football’s most feared forwards. He’s a rare mix of flair, power, and drive — traits that earned him a senior Brazil call-up before he’d even played in Europe. The growing pains he’s currently facing are a rite of passage, not a death sentence.

In fact, many of football’s greats — including fellow countrymen like Ronaldo and Ronaldinho — experienced similar transitional hurdles before hitting their stride.

Whether Endrick remains in Madrid, switches to a new role under Alonso, or spends a year refining his game elsewhere, one thing remains clear: the football world is still watching, still waiting, and still believing.