Endrick

Dreams drive the world’s most extraordinary individuals—visions of greatness that take root in childhood and shape their every move.

For Endrick, those dreams are no longer just aspirations; they’re his reality. At just 18, he left behind the pitches of Brazil for the hallowed ground of the Santiago Bernabéu, trading childhood fantasies for life at Real Madrid.

Despite this new reality, Endrick remains a dreamer. He’s playing not only for trophies but for his family, his future, and every young fan who sees a piece of themselves in his journey.

Today, as he adjusts to his new life in Madrid, Endrick’s dreams are far from complete—they’re evolving.

“I have no complaints about my adaptation,” says Endrick. “My routine is very similar to the one I had in Brazil, and my day is practically divided between training at the club and at home, where I also train every day. At the club, everyone treats me with affection, helps me, and I haven’t had any difficulties yet.”

From the outside, such a major move—across continents, cultures, and expectations—might seem overwhelming. But for Endrick, the transition has been smooth. Perhaps it’s the rhythm of football that makes Madrid feel familiar.

Perhaps it’s his mindset, already shaped by elite training and international attention. In his words, there’s no trace of arrogance—only humility and a quiet determination to adapt without complaint.

And perhaps that’s part of what makes Endrick’s journey so captivating. He doesn’t posture or pretend. He observes, absorbs, and carries Brazil with him—not just in his playing style, but in his way of seeing the world.

“I think we are more similar than I thought before I got here,” he says. “I think that in our world, in football, the dreams and challenges, from an early age, are so similar that we start to think almost the same way. Besides, everyone today can listen to the same music, watch the same movies, play the same games. Today everything happens and changes very quickly, but it changes for everyone. It seems like we are from the same place, the ‘land of football’.”

In a world more connected than ever, Endrick’s words speak to the universality of football dreams. Whether in Brasília or Spain, the game offers a shared language—one spoken in goals, celebrations, and late-night street matches. And in Madrid, he finds not just a team, but a new version of that global village—a new place to belong.

Still, with the fame and expectations, it would be easy to lose touch with life outside the pitch. But Endrick is deliberate in reminding himself that Madrid isn’t just a stage—it’s his new home.

“I haven’t gotten to know the city well yet, but I hope to get to know the restaurants, the Spanish cuisine, and the places that tell the city’s history,” he says. “I’m still going to live here for many years, and I want to understand how Real and the city are linked to each other.”

There’s a sense of curiosity in his voice—a willingness to grow, not just as an athlete, but as a person. This chapter is about more than football. It’s about identity, language, love, and responsibility.

“The main change, and the best one, is that I now live with my wife, and this changes the way we look at many things,” he says. “I have another person by my side, to help me, and who I must help as well. Our responsibility grows.”

That word—responsibility—crops up more than once. It reflects how Endrick sees his role not just within a team, but within a family. Growing up quickly is a part of the job when you sign with Real Madrid at 16, but he wears that responsibility with pride. Having his wife beside him has redefined his day-to-day life and provided a grounding presence in the whirlwind of European football.

Still, even as he steps into adulthood, his roots remain close—especially through the presence of his family.

“My family has never left me and will never stop being there for me,” he says. “Having them by my side in my new home has helped me a lot, both in learning how to run a home and in not stopping myself from dedicating myself to the fullest at work. They help me at all times, and also at games, cheering me on.”

There’s something rare in the way Endrick talks about his circle—not as background figures but as collaborators in his success. They’re part of his process. Their support isn’t passive; it’s participatory. And that support system continues to grow stronger with every new experience.

Even language—often a barrier for young players abroad—hasn’t been an issue.

“I was already studying Spanish in Brazil, and when I arrived, I already understood almost everything that was said to me, and I could already speak a lot too,” he says. “Sometimes, someone speaks too quickly, or uses slang that I don’t know, but that I quickly learn.”

It’s a small detail, but one that reveals a great deal. Learning Spanish before arriving in Madrid wasn’t just a smart career move—it was a sign of respect, a sign of preparation. And that thoughtfulness extends to how he presents himself.

“I like to dress well, to show that I have prepared myself to go somewhere where I will be welcomed,” he says. “I also think that it is a way of showing a little of how I see myself, and of communicating with all the people I cannot talk to, but who will see me.”

Fashion, in this sense, becomes more than image—it becomes a form of communication. A silent but powerful statement about how he sees himself and the world. It’s fitting, then, that one of his most meaningful collaborations is with a brand that truly sees him.

“The people at New Balance were the ones who understood best what I liked and what I was looking for,” says Endrick.“They showed from our first meeting that they didn’t just want me to wear something from them, but that we would think and make something of our own, that told a little of my story. ‘Irmao’ is the first of many other demonstrations of this.”

The bond with New Balance is a reflection of his values—authentic, collaborative, and deeply rooted in identity. It’s not about wearing a logo, it’s about telling a story. And if “Irmao” is any indication, that story is only just beginning.

Of course, the beauty of Endrick’s life right now is that it’s as rich off the pitch as it is on it.

“I feel blessed on and off the field, and especially at home,” he says. “My wife is always waiting for me, my family is always close by, I can play with Noah, my brother, I have professionals by my side who help me directly with my physical recovery, and also with my commitments to sponsors, and the games always keep me in touch with my friends who stayed in Brazil.”

It’s a striking image—Endrick in Madrid, surrounded by a village of support. Brothers, friends, trainers, teammates. All of them supporting an extraordinary life. And still, despite the noise and the spotlight, he stays anchored by a simple purpose: to make his loved ones proud.

“I want to make my family happy and be an example of dedication and that it is possible to make dreams come true, not just in football,” he says. “I have a lot to learn before I can teach others anything, but I try to do everything I can to be a positive inspiration to everyone who supports me. If a young person dreams of being a scientist, they should believe that they can make great discoveries. If they want to be a musician, they should be able to record great hits. It’s the same for everyone.”

It’s that rare blend of perspective and possibility that defines Endrick. He knows where he stands, but he also knows where he came from—and who’s watching him now. That awareness doesn’t weigh on him; it lifts him.

And even as he continues to adjust to the pace of life in Madrid, to the pressure of playing for the biggest club in the world, there’s a joyfulness to how he speaks—a lightness that shines through, even in the quietest moments.

“It was an incredible afternoon, in a wonderful place, with brands that I admire, and with special people,” says Endrick, speaking of his experiences collaborating with Sports World. “I hope this was just the first of many more meetings for us.”

It’s only the beginning. For Endrick, the dreams haven’t stopped—they’ve simply grown bigger, bolder, and brighter under the lights of the Bernabéu. What comes next is still unwritten, but one thing is clear: he’s not just playing for Madrid.

He’s playing for something much more powerful. He’s playing for the dream.