Real Madrid forward will not play at Club World Cup despite training return | OneFootball

According to a report from SPORT, Endrick has resumed training with the Real Madrid first team in the United States ahead of their Club World Cup semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

However, despite rejoining the group, the Brazilian wonderkid is not expected to play any part in the tournament, even if Madrid reach the final.

The 18-year-old striker suffered an injury back in May and only returned to team training on Monday. While he has made noticeable physical progress, the coaching staff remains cautious and unwilling to risk him in high-pressure matches.

On Tuesday, Endrick trained individually alongside David Alaba, suggesting he is still a step behind in terms of full match fitness.

Facing new reality

When Endrick picked up his injury in May, he was the clear second-choice centre-forward in the squad. However, much has changed since then.

The emergence of Gonzalo Garcia, whose performances have impressed even more than expected, has reshuffled Real Madrid’s attacking hierarchy.

Endrick will not play at Club World Cup. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

With Endrick’s path to playing time now more crowded, rumours of a potential loan move for the 2025/26 season have started circulating.

But manager Xabi Alonso reportedly opposes the idea, as he believes the Brazilian could thrive in a different role.

Tactical shift to keep him at Real Madrid

Despite being a natural centre-forward, Alonso is reportedly planning to use Endrick as a right winger.

The positional shift could provide the youngster with more opportunities, especially given the intense competition in the central forward roles.

If the experiment works, it may prove crucial in convincing the club to keep Endrick in the squad this summer rather than sending him out on loan.

A successful adaptation would allow Real Madrid to use his pace, technique, and goalscoring instincts from a wide position, giving the team more flexibility and keeping one of their most promising talents involved in first-team plans.