Endrick gets red card on the bench as Madrid lose in chaos

At the end of last night’s match against Celta Vigo, Madrid's players and coaching staff were furious about the referee’s decision to send off Álvaro Carreras and leave them with only nine men. Not only were the players on the pitch penalized, but Brazilian striker Endrick was also sent off with no official explanation provided. As a result, he will miss Real Madrid’s next match against Deportivo Alavés on December 15th.

However, this barely changes anything, as Endrick has been on the bench for seven matches in a row. The 19-year-old striker’s last appearance was in early November, when he played 12 minutes against Valencia. That remains his only match of the 2025/26 season after suffering two injuries in the summer. With Kylian Mbappé in top form this season, the Brazilian’s chances of playing are extremely limited.

Endrick’s future is now in doubt as the striker is pushing for a loan move. Earlier this month, there were rumors that Lyon were interested in signing him on loan during the winter transfer window. Although no negotiations have taken place so far, if Endrick continues to sit on the bench, he may not be called up to Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Endrick joined Real Madrid from Palmeiras in the summer of 2024 for a €47.5m transfer fee. Last season, he made 22 appearances in La Liga, nine in the Champions League and six in the Copa del Rey, scoring seven goals and providing one assist - most of which came in the domestic cup. The Brazilian was highly rated by former manager Carlo Ancelotti, but Xabi Alonso has given him almost no opportunities.

Real Madrid just lost 0-2 to Celta Vigo, allowing Barcelona to extend their lead at the top to four points after Hansi Flick’s side beat Real Betis 5-3 on Saturday. Even though Madrid were down to 10 men and needed a goal, Xabi Alonso still chose not to bring on the Brazilian striker, leaving the No. 9 increasingly frustrated. 

In October, Alonso responded to questions about Endrick from TNT Sports Brazil: “He needs patience. He must be ready and know that he’s playing for Real Madrid. His time will come.” But given the current situation - and with the 2026 World Cup only six months away - Endrick may no longer be willing to wait.