Julius OkorieNewly unveiled Brazilian teenager, Endrick, has revealed how Portugal international, Cristiano Ronaldo, fired his love for La Liga giants, Real Madrid.
He made the revelation after his unveiling coming just a couple of weeks after that of former Paris Saint Germaine super star, Kylian Mbappe.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelEndrick, who was unveiled in front of thousands of Madridista fans, at the Santiago Bernabéu, was acquired while he was below 18 and as such could not join the club then.
The La Liga giants agreed to sign the forward from Palmeiras in December 2022, in a deal reportedly worth €72 million, including variables and taxes, but could not formally join the club until his 18th birthday on July 21, 2024.
The 18-year-old was visibly emotional at his public presentation at the Bernabéu stadium, expressing his long-held dream of playing for the reigning La Liga champions. His parents, also present, were moved to tears.
“This is crazy,” Endrick said. “I am so happy. Since I was a kid, I have always been a Madrid fan, and now I am going to play for Madrid. I am here, I am going to play, I am so happy, my family are as well. I don’t have words to describe what I am feeling. I always wanted to be here. I wanted to play for Madrid. It was a dream. Today it is a reality. I am grateful to everyone. Now we are going to sing a chant together, I am sure you will all sing with me: Three, two, one… ‘Hala Madrid.”
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Endrick was overwhelmed by the turnout, with sources telling ESPN that more than 40,000 fans attended the event. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez welcomed the club’s latest young talent.
“This moment was what you dreamed of as a child,” Perez said. “That conviction has led you to fulfil a lifetime dream. That dream you had when you were only nine years old with the Real Madrid Foundation. Your play and goals already bring fans to their feet, and Madrid are delighted to have you as part of the family.”
Endrick revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence drove his fandom of the storied club. The emotion of the moment overwhelmed him on the pitch.
“It [the tears] wasn’t planned, but as I said, since I was young, I have loved Real Madrid,” Endrick said.
“First, because I saw Cristiano Ronaldo, and that’s initially why I wanted to know more about the club and started looking back at all the stars that have been here. I have been enamoured by Madrid since then. I didn’t want to cry, but it came from the soul. I hope we can now create history together.”
He added that his parents’ tears during the event “touched his heart,” saying he “would not be here without them.”
Ronaldo who currently plies his trade with Saudi League side Al Nassr played for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2018 scoring 311 goals in 292 appearances.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
