Real Madrid starlet Endrick Felipe enjoyed a dream Champions League debut at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring just 15 minutes after coming on for Jude Bellingham, and putting the icing on the cake of a 3-1 win. While the shot was powerful, his decision-making was the talking point.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti told the press that Endrick ‘had balls’ after he neglected to feed either of Kylian Mbappe or Vinicius Junior to his left and right, instead striking the ball, and getting some fortune that Alexander Nubel’s hand was not strong enough to keep it out. Kylian Mbappe could even be seen raising his arms in confusion that Endrick took the shot.
‘Bobby’, as Antonio Rudiger referred to him, referencing his Bobby Charlton-inspired nickname, was lucky it went well, otherwise there would have been a ‘big problem in the German’s eyes.
“Endrick is crazy. He did something that nobody would do, but I am very happy for him and I understand the joy he must be going through,” Rodrygo Goes told MD of his compatriot. “It is a move that we do with Rudiger in training and it worked out well.”
Meanwhile Thibaut Courtois, who won man of the match for his seven saves, was much less diplomatic.
“If he misses, I kill him,” he laughed. “He has a very good shot, he has a lot of quality and personality. If he doesn’t give it to Vini or Bellingham and he scores, everyone will be quiet.”
Endrick has enjoyed a solid start to the season, scoring on his home debut in La Liga and in Europe now, despite not having started a match. The 18-year-old has plenty of competition for minutes up front, but has demonstrated just how useful he can be, despite only seeing 20 minutes of action across his five appearances, not including stoppage time.