Lyon’s decision to loan Brazil forward Endrick from Real Madrid is already paying dividends on and off the pitch, with the 19-year-old’s blistering form reviving the French club’s season and strengthening his hopes of a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
The move came against the backdrop of a turbulent summer for Lyon, who were spared administrative relegation to Ligue 2 just weeks before the start of the season. Faced with severe financial constraints, the club was forced into a fire sale of key assets, dimming expectations of a third successive campaign in European competition.
Under sporting director Matthieu Louis-Jean, Lyon responded with an agile recruitment strategy focused on identifying value in less prominent European markets.
“We worked on different markets,” Louis-Jean said in September.
That approach saw Pavel Sulc, Ruben Kluivert and Adam Karabec arrive, but the club deliberately entered the season without a recognised first-choice striker.
“We took a decision on the final day of the transfer window to leave the position of a first-choice striker open,” general director Michael Gerlinger explained.
The gamble paid off in January. With Endrick limited to just 99 minutes of action at Real Madrid in the first half of the campaign, Lyon moved quickly to secure the Brazil international on loan until the end of the season.
“We had been waiting for a number nine for so long,” Louis-Jean said at Endrick’s unveiling.
The impact was immediate. Endrick scored 42 minutes into his debut against Lille in the French Cup and has since added four more goals in five matches. A hat-trick against Metz made him the youngest player to score a Ligue 1 treble for Lyon, surpassing a 54-year record held by Bernard Lacombe.
Before Lyon’s clash with Nantes, no player at the club had been directly involved in more goals, registered more shots on target or completed more dribbles since Endrick’s arrival.
His emergence continues Lyon’s rich tradition of Brazilian stars, following in the footsteps of Juninho Pernambucano, Cris and Sonny Anderson.
“I know there are a lot [of Brazilians] that have played for the club, and many of them have had a fantastic career here,” Endrick told L’Equipe.
He revealed that Brazil team-mates Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes encouraged the move.
“Before coming, I spoke with Paqueta and Bruno. They told me it was a place I could be really happy,” he said.
With the World Cup approaching, Endrick said regular football was central to his decision.
“Obviously it’s a dream I have — that won’t change. If you don’t play well for your club, however, you can’t have a chance of playing for Brazil,” he added.
Former Lyon captain Cris believes the teenager could fill a gap in the national team.
“We don’t have that mobile number nine in the Brazil side,” he said. “There’s a space there for him to help the side with his mobility and the way he sees the game.”
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has already been in contact with the forward.
“We had a wonderful conversation,” Endrick said. “He gave me some advice that has stayed with me. Now, I have to work in order to improve and become a better player.”
Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca has praised Endrick’s attributes, describing him as “very explosive, very quick, very good in one-on-one situations.”
However, a recent red card against Nantes highlighted the learning curve ahead.
“When there are players of that calibre, we have to make sure to contain them,” Nantes coach Ahmed Kantari said.
Beyond his on-field influence, Endrick’s arrival has delivered a commercial boost.
“It’s obvious his notoriety will boost the club’s image,” Gerlinger said.
His unveiling video has become Lyon’s most-watched Instagram post, while match highlights featuring the Brazilian dominate the club’s YouTube rankings.
Despite an impending one-match suspension, Lyon’s momentum remains strong. Since Endrick’s arrival, a four-game winning run has stretched to 12 across all competitions, with the club advancing in the French Cup, securing a favourable Europa League path and pushing for Champions League qualification.
For Endrick, the platform is clear — and so, increasingly, is the path to fulfilling his World Cup dream.
