Endrick Thrives on the Wing as Lyon Loan Sparks New Madrid Questions
Real Madrid’s handling of Endrick is already under fresh scrutiny after the Brazilian teenager delivered an eye catching display for Lyon, shining in a wide attacking role during a 2–1 Ligue 1 victory over Brest.
The 19 year old, signed by Madrid as a central striker, has struggled for rhythm in Spain amid injuries and fierce competition. But in France, Endrick looks reborn, scoring on his cup debut before producing a confident all action performance in his first league start at Groupama Stadium.
Lyon’s system mirrored Madrid’s familiar front three, yet the key difference was freedom. Endrick was not anchored through the middle. Instead, he was encouraged to drift, combine, and attack space from wide areas, a tweak that immediately brought out his strengths.
The loan move was designed to secure regular minutes and rebuild confidence, and the early signs suggest it is working. Endrick has spoken openly about enjoying his football again, and that renewed belief was clear against Brest as Lyon controlled large spells of the contest.
A lively home crowd set the tone from the opening minutes, with Lyon pressing aggressively and moving the ball quickly in the final third. Endrick was central to much of that buildup, dropping deep to collect possession before accelerating into space.
Brest struggled to contain his movement. He repeatedly drew defenders out of position, creating room for teammates and forcing the visitors into hurried decisions in wide areas.
Chances arrived early as Lyon asserted control, with Endrick involved in several sharp combinations around the edge of the box. Brest’s defense held firm initially, but the pressure never eased.
The breakthrough eventually came as Lyon capitalized on sustained momentum, with Endrick’s intelligent positioning playing a role in stretching the defensive line. Brest responded to make the contest uncomfortable, yet Lyon’s composure told.
As the match wore on, Endrick continued to influence play rather than fade. His quick feet and awareness helped Lyon regain control during key second half phases, even as Brest pushed numbers forward in search of an equalizer.
Late moments brought tension, but Lyon held on for a valuable home win, with Endrick emerging as one of the standout performers despite not adding to his debut goal tally.
For Real Madrid, the implications are clear. Endrick is showing that his future may not be limited to a central striker role. With his loan set to run through the 2025–26 season, the focus now is consistency, and proving that this version of Endrick is no flash in the pan.
When he returns to Madrid in the summer, the conversation may no longer be about patience, but about position, opportunity, and how best to unlock one of Brazil’s brightest young talents.
Endrick's Ligue 1 debut. Enjoy. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/4VEuITP7Bv
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 18, 2026