Endrick: “My playing style is similar to Mbappé’s”

Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa (Brazil, 2006) He is one of the players of the moment after shining in Copinha with Palmeiras, where he was champion. His Chilean goal went around the world and linked him to the best teams in Europe, especially Real Madrid. Many have compared him as ‘the new Vinicius’, due to all the expectation he is generating despite only being 15 years old. With 168 goals in 170 games, he already holds the record for all the Brazilian team’s juniors.

Palmeiras fans have a lot of confidence in him. Even Zé Roberto himself, idol of the club, has already ‘baptized’ him as one of the players with the most future in the world: “What is said here in Brazil is that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are the teams that They are interested in hiring him. He is a different player because of his age, he is the protagonist, he has played since he was 11 years old in Palmeiras, he always played two categories above, he always makes the difference, he scored many goals… Here they say from the press that he is the new Adriano because he is left-footed and scores a lot of goals.”

In 2017 he already left his mark on the final of the Paulista U-11 with a great goal and a year later he was also key to conquering the Paulista U-13 scoring another. All this led him to make the leap to the U-17 at just 14 years old. In this great moment and under all the lights placed on him, he attends Diario AS.

How did you experience the great tournament you held in Copinha?

I am happy to have been chosen the best player of the tournament, to score the most beautiful goal and also to have won the title in an unprecedented way for Palmeiras.

Was it your first Chilean goal? The goal went around the world…

No! I had already scored goals like this in other games, but I think this was the most beautiful.

How do you explain the great work of Palmeiras with young people?

It is a giant club that has been winning all the titles both in the base category and in the professional category. All this is due to the good project and the great professionals who run the club.

In Spain they say that you look like Vinícius. What do you think of him?

I like him, he’s a great player. He has everything to be one of the best in the world. He gave me a Real Madrid shirt and I told him that I would like him to come and play with me here at Palmeiras.

Speaking of Vinicius… he always says that when he was little his dream was to play for Real Madrid. Is that your dream too?

My dream is first to make history at Palmeiras. The Madrid? In the future I do not get involved and leave it in the hands of my staff.

What do you like most about Spanish football?

I like European football in general, great clubs, great players…

What do you think of players like Haaland and Mbappé?

I really like both. My style of play resembles that of Mbappé and I am also inspired by him. Hopefully one day I can represent and win a World Cup with my country like he did with the France shirt.

Do you consider Mbappé one of the best players in history?

He is one of the best soccer players on the planet. Fast, good finisher, a crack and very young.