Real Madrid star Endrick hits back after ‘coward’ claims

Robin Bairner

• 11 Apr 2026 11:00 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Real Madrid loan star Endrick has reacted through his entourage after Lyon head coach Paulo Fonseca launched a very public attack on the player’s attitude on Friday.

Endrick initially shone after agreeing a loan to the Ligue 1 side in January, netting a debut goal against Lille and a hat-trick against Metz that was followed up with a Coupe de France effort versus Laval.

Since then, though, the goals have dried up. His only strike since 4 February was in a 1-1 Europa League draw with Celta Vigo, while the overall level of his performance has diminished.

Fonseca snaps: Lyon need more from Endrick!

Lyon head coach Fonseca appears to have reached breaking point and on Friday issued stern criticism of the 19-year-old, who Los Blancos signed from Palmeiras in a €47.5 million deal in 2024.

Fonseca complained that the teenager needs to work harder and to become braver, fuming: “I’m not happy with his performance. He told me he was a bit tired from his trip [returning from the international break], but he has a responsibility to do more.

“I’m not here to criticise players, but I expect more from him. He has an obligation to do more. We need him. We are currently dependent on a player [Afonso Moreira] who was playing in the Portuguese third division a year ago and who, unlike him, takes responsibility.

"If Afonso has that courage, the others must do the same. Endrick needs to be more available. He stayed in his own area. He didn't try to position himself between the lines, to intercept the ball, to offer other options for the team. He needs to work harder.”

Endrick reacts to criticism

Endrick’s body language has also been the subject of debate, with L’Equipe pointing out that it has been “constantly negative” towards his team-mates.

While this has led to claims that he is struggling to manage his frustration with his colleagues, unnamed sources close to the player claim this is instead annoyance that his efforts are not bringing any reward.

‘The electricity that used to flow from his feet has vanished’

Fonseca is certainly not alone in criticising Endrick’s output, with L’Equipe adding:

“The electricity that used to flow from his feet has vanished. His one-dimensional style of play has been well studied by opponents, who know how to counter his bursts of speed.

“Endrick is still struggling to integrate into the team's movements. He almost never asks for the ball in behind the defence, except on the counterattack, and rarely makes himself available in the gaps, even though Lyon's positional play demands it.”

In Endrick’s defence, he has been used largely in a right-wing position that he has not seemed best suited to, despite OL crying out for a No.9.

With Lyon set to be without leading scorer Pavel Sulc ahead of their trip to Lorient on Sunday, Fonesca needs Endrick more than ever and will expect a reaction from the Real Madrid prodigy.

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