Endrick’s Return to Real Madrid: Champions League Comeback

Endrick’s official comeback in a Real Madrid shirt could finally arrive on the biggest stage of all – the Champions League.

Real Madrid host Inter Milan on Tuesday (8), at 4 p.m., and the Brazilian forward is in line for his first minutes since injury, with the club carefully managing expectations over his fitness after a long spell out.

“He may be ready to play 5 minutes, 10 at most. He trained with the team for the first time yesterday and hasn't played since Budapest. He isn't fit for more (minutes),” the Real Madrid coach said, underlining just how long Endrick has been away from competitive action.

The message was blunt, but the smile was there too. Asked where Endrick might fit in this star-studded side, Mourinho couldn’t resist a touch of irony.

“He will play in attack. I guarantee he won't play at left-back or center-back. (He can play) on the right or the left, (as a) 9 or 10.”

No tactical riddles. No reinvention. Endrick will be judged where he has always been most dangerous: close to goal.

The competition for those spots could hardly be fiercer. In recent matches, Mourinho has unleashed a fearsome attacking quartet of Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, Vini Jr, and Kylian Mbappé. That’s the reality the young Brazilian walks back into – a dressing room packed with established stars and a forward line already humming.

Even so, a handful of minutes against Inter in the Champions League could mark the start of his real Madrid story. Five minutes. Ten at most. Enough, perhaps, to remind Europe why his return has been so eagerly awaited.