Endrick scored Real Madrid’s equaliser in their comeback against Roma, and José Mourinho has explained that he rejected a summer request from the Italian club to take the Brazilian forward on loan. Diario AS report that Mourinho’s decision was based on his belief in Endrick’s ability; the goal in Rome has sharpened the question of how the 20-year-old will earn regular minutes in Madrid.

“When Roma asked to take him on loan in the summer, I said it was impossible. I know what this kid is capable of,” Mourinho said after the match. Endrick came on with Madrid trailing and headed in the goal that made it 3-3, before Antonio Rüdiger scored the winner in a 4-3 victory.

José Mourinho – Photo: Ronnie Macdonald / CC BY 2.0

Before the trip to Italy, Endrick had received only the final four minutes against Elche, also in a late change of plan, according to AS. The forward had been near the bottom of the squad’s minutes order, making his influence at the Stadio Olimpico a notable change in his immediate fortunes.

Mourinho had already said in August that Madrid’s No. 9 would not leave Valdebebas, while reiterating that stance when asked about Endrick’s prolonged muscle injury. The Roma match offered a vivid illustration of why the coach had resisted a loan: Endrick added urgency in attack, completed two successful dribbles and threatened the hosts beyond his equaliser.

The comeback gave Madrid a dramatic result in the Champions League, with their recovery from 3-1 down against Roma turning the contest late on. Endrick’s header was the pivotal intervention before Rüdiger completed the turnaround in the 90th minute.

AS report that Mourinho views Endrick primarily as a right winger rather than a conventional centre-forward. The coach wanted a different profile at striker and selected Carlos Espí from three options presented by Juni Calafat; he considers the Spaniard and Endrick compatible because they can feature together in that setup.

Endrick, for his part, said he trusted Mourinho to decide when he should play. “If I’m supposed to play, Mou will put me on. And if not, he won’t. He’ll do what’s best for me. I’ll be ready to help however I can.” The forward’s acceptance of that judgement does not settle the practical question: a place in the squad still needs to translate into opportunities on the pitch.