Endrick sends message to Erling Haaland after first senior goal

Palmeiras prodigy Endrick sent a message to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland on Wednesday night after the 16-year-old scored his first senior goal.

The young Brazilian has been making international headlines since he was 15 because of the host of clubs chasing his signature. He made his first-team debut for Palmeiras earlier this month aged 16 years, two months and 16 days and scored in a 3-1 Brasileirao win over Athletico Paranaense on Tuesday night, as well as also registering an assist.

Endrick’s celebration after his goal looked familiar, mimicking a certain Haaland, who has continued to set the world alight since moving to Manchester City in the summer.

Afterwards, the player confirmed it was a nod to Haaland by posting an image on social media and tagging the City striker in the post.

"It's not enough for me," he said after the game. "I don't think I'm good yet. I have to train and I have a lot to improve. I have to work harder to improve. I want to make people believe in me, have faith and make them believe in me.

"Thank God, this goal is the result of my work, which I do at home and outside Palmeiras. I'm still learning, the fans told me that it wasn't even the time for a child to be awake. I'm always working and God is watching over me, protecting me and now it's about moving forward."

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Real Madrid have been closely following Endrick’s progress for months, hoping to replicate their success recruiting Brazilian teenagers following on from Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.

90min explained earlier this year that the teenager has already decided he wants to join Real, although FIFA regulations will prevent him from actually linking up with the club until he turns 18 in 2024 – it was a similar situation with Vinicius, who officially signed for Los Blancos aged 16 but didn’t actually move to Spain until he turned 18 two years later.

It was ultimately a choice between Real and Barcelona for Endrick, although Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Porto and Benfica are all interested in South America’s hottest new talent.