Endrick hits back at rumours and defends Ancelotti at the 2026 World Cup
The young Real Madrid forward used Brazil’s 3-0 win over Haiti to put an end, in practice, to weeks of speculation on social media: there is no row with Carlo Ancelotti, there is no crisis, and the bench role was just a matter of timing. Endrick came on in the 63rd minute, was given an ovation in Philadelphia and made a point of being clear about it after the final whistle.
Viral memes, a frustrating draw and a cheered substitution
It all began when Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco and Endrick did not even leave the bench. X turned into a festival of memes questioning whether Ancelotti “hated” the kid, a reference to the careful management of minutes the coach had already adopted at Real Madrid. The mockery took on considerable proportions. After all, the 19-year-old forward spent much of last season on loan at Lyon and returned to the Spanish club carrying expectation.
In the following match, the fans responded in their own way. When Endrick replaced Matheus Cunha, the stadium applauded. The goal he scored ended up being ruled out for offside, but the message was sent: the public pressure for more minutes is real. And the player himself received it with gratitude, not discomfort.
“He knows what I do when I come on”
In the dressing room, Endrick was direct. “I spent a year with him at Real Madrid, thank God I was able to play many matches. Whether it’s five, ten or 15 minutes, I was alongside him. He knows what I do when I come on, I give everything for the team. That doesn’t change here with the national side.”
He went further. Instead of defending his own position, he turned the argument around: the coach does not work to please a player or the fans, he works for the collective. “He’s not going to do what’s best for Endrick. He’s going to do what’s best for the team.” It is the kind of statement that disarms any conflict narrative before it can gain momentum.
Ancelotti, for his part, had already signalled patience before the game against Haiti: “I’ll put Endrick on at the right moment. He’s going to be important at this World Cup. He’s mature for his age, he’s in no hurry. Neither is his family.”
Brazil win, but the debate over the starting line-up is still open
With their first win in the tournament, the national team turns its attention to topping Group C. Vinicius Jr. and Matheus Cunha hold their place in the starting eleven for now. Endrick remains in the shadows, but a shadow that lights up any stadium when his name is announced.
Whether he will continue as an impact piece or earn greater minutes is still uncertain. What became clear in Philadelphia is that the relationship between the kid and his coach is more solid than the memes make it seem. And that Endrick, at least for now, prefers to let the pitch speak louder than any post on the feed.
