Carlo Ancelotti issues defiant response to Endrick over game time fears
- Endrick has struggled for game time during debut Real Madrid campaign
- Brazil international has admitted to concerns over lack of minutes
- Carlo Ancelotti has commented on the forward's position in the squad
Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that Endrick must accept being benched if he wants to continue at Real Madrid following the teenager's recent comments regarding his lack of game time.
The precocious 18-year-old finally teamed up with Los Blancos last summer and was expected to hit the ground running at the Santiago Bernabeu given his impressive performances with Palmeiras and the Brazil national team.
However, Endrick has struggled to make a lasting impact on Ancelotti and has seen his game time restricted as a result. He's featured in 28 matches this season - scoring on six occasions - but only four of those have been starts.
The youngster recently admitted he's "afraid" that his lack of minutes with Madrid will see him miss out on Brazil's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, with Endrick having already made 14 appearances with the Selecao despite his tender age. Ironically, Ancelotti could be the country's head coach by then.
But speaking before the midweek Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad, Ancelotti admitted that Endrick must accept spending significant spells on the bench at a club of Madrid's stature.
Asked what qualities Endrick was missing to feature more regularly, Ancelotti responded: "It depends on many things. Beyond competition, there's nothing missing. It's a matter of competition. Players who are extremely high quality.
"I think the history of this club shows that many starters have sat on the bench for a long time. Vinicius [Junior], for a couple of years, Rodrygo, [Federico] Valverde, [Eduardo] Camavinga. If you want to be at Real Madrid, it's customary to sit on the bench for a bit."
Endrick has played just 496 minutes across all competitions this season but has still shown glimpses of his immense potential. Ancelotti insists he has no issues with the South American despite offering him limited opportunities.
"I'm delighted with him," claimed Ancelotti. "I've given him minutes whenever I can, and he's always taken advantage of them. Who's worried? I don't know."
Just to compound his critics even further, Ancelotti handed Endrick a starting role against Real Sociedad in Madrid's Copa del Rey semi-final tie.
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