- José Mourinho has blocked Endrick's loan move as Real Madrid plan to keep the Brazilian forward involved in the first-team project.
Mourinho decides to keep Endrick at Real Madrid
José Mourinho has decided against allowing Endrick to leave Real Madrid on loan this summer, according to Diario AS, after the Brazilian impressed during preseason.
Aston Villa and Roma have advanced in talks with both the player's camp and club for a season-long loan move for the 20-year-old. Roma was the frontrunner in the pursuit, as the player sees him as an undisputed starter in the Italian club, but now Real Madrid has closed the doors.
Mourinho sees Endrick as more than a No. 9
Mourinho does not see Endrick as simply a backup for the No. 9 position. The Brazilian’s pace, direct style, and ability to make runs behind the defense could also make him useful on the right. That gives Real Madrid another way to get him on the pitch, even with Kylian Mbappé expected to lead the line. Club president Florentino Perez, who has a special affection for the player, also supports Mourinho's decision to keep the player.
Endrick was open for a loan move if his chances were limited with Real Madrid, but his performances in the preseason friendly became a decisive factor in the manager's decision.
Endrick's impressive spell at Lyon
He joined Lyon on 23 December 2025, last season, to get regular playing time; he appeared in 16 for the team in Ligue 1 and scored 5 goals while assisting 7, which was an outstanding display under Paulo Fonseca.
Endrick's loan spell at Lyon gave him the regular first-team football he needed, and his return to Madrid has now presented Mourinho with evidence that he can contribute at a higher level.
Performances with Lyon also earned him a spot in the Brazil squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and he appeared in 4 games for the national team.
What Mourinho's decision means for Endrick
Endrick joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 as an exciting Brazilian talent from Palmeiras for a reported package of €60 million, but the player is still in the development stage, and the club did not consider him a starting striker due to the presence of Mbappé.
Endrick will still have plenty of competition for playing time at Real Madrid. Mbappé is expected to remain the main option through the middle, while the club also has several other attacking players competing for places. Mourinho’s decision is therefore more about keeping Endrick involved and developing him with the first team than promising him a regular starting spot.