Endrick's injury setback opens door for academy star at Real Madrid

A persistent injury has cast a shadow over his debut season, but the 18-year-old has expressed pride in playing for what he called "the best team in the world," despite the challenges of adapting to a new style of football in a tough campaign for the Spanish giants.

Endrick's latest setback, a recurrence of a right hamstring tendon injury originally sustained on 18 May against Sevilla, has ruled him out for an estimated eight to ten weeks, according to reports from The Athletic.

The injury flared up during a recent training session in the United States, halting his recovery just as he neared a return. This development has significant implications for Real Madrid's squad, with academy prospect Gonzalo Garcia now likely to stay with the first team.

The 20-year-old Spaniard is set to seize this opportunity, potentially sharing the attacking line with stars like Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, while uncertainty lingers over Rodrygo's role.

Real Madrid's coaching staff and management are focused solely on ensuring Endrick's full recovery. "Our priority is his health and making sure this injury is behind him for good," a club source told MARCA.

The club view Endrick as one of their most significant investments in recent years, and their faith in his potential remains unshaken. "No one at Valdebebas doubts his quality or his ability to become a starter," the source added. "It's just a matter of time and the team finding their rhythm."

For now, Real Madrid are banking on their depth to navigate the early stages of the season, with Gonzalo Garcia's emergence offering a silver lining to Endrick's absence.