Endrick spent 173 days sidelined with a right-leg injury in 2025 and struggled for opportunities after returning to Madrid. He left on loan for Lyon seeking regular minutes, contributing eight goals and seven assists in 21 appearances, helping the club qualify for the Champions League while rebuilding confidence and match fitness ahead of Brazil duty.
On his mindset and admiration for Ronaldo, Endrick said:
Wanting to work hard, from an early age is something I have in common with Cristiano Ronaldo, but I don't admire him just for his work ethic. He has tremendous talent and an inspiring story of overcoming adversity when he was young. If you're in the middle of a season, you can't do things that will set you back. It's going to be tough; it always is. That's the law of football.
Endrick credited his wife, Gabriely Miranda, for helping push him toward the Lyon move.
She asked me what I wanted. And she kept putting that into my head, and I started thinking about the importance of standing on my own two feet and making it happen.
Thiago Freitas, COO of Roc Nation Sports, said the loan target had to sit in one of Europe's top five leagues, with an attacking coach whose methods resembled what Endrick experienced at Palmeiras, plus participation in a European competition.
Despite his age, Endrick's maturity has earned him the nickname Bobby among teammates, a nod to his admiration for Sir Bobby Charlton. He avoids typical nightlife and focuses on recovery and professional growth. With Mourinho set to begin a new chapter at Real Madrid, a strong World Cup campaign could strengthen Endrick's case for a bigger role next season.
