Endrick began 2024 as one of the hottest properties in Brazilian football after recently winning the national league championship with Palmeiras and became the fourth-youngest player in the history of Brazil’s senior team.

If that were not impressive enough, he will join Real Madrid in July when he turns 18. Though fully aware of the responsibility he now shoulders, the teenager rejects the idea of being the potential star of the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament. In his view, it is the team itself that has to be centre stage.

“The Brazilian national team need to be in contention at every tournament they play, so nothing but winning this event matters to me,” he told FIFA ahead of their opening game against Bolivia on 23 January.

With the tournament contested by national U-23 teams, Endrick is by two years the youngest member of the Brazil squad. Yet despite his tender years, expectations surrounding his potential contribution to the side are understandably high.

“Given the position I play in, I know what’s expected of me, but the squad also knows that you only win games by playing for each other at all times. I’m therefore aware that I’ll also have to help the others with their tasks,” he said.

Attacking link-up
At Real Madrid, Endrick will have the chance to play alongside Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. Ahead of that, however, he will likely be John Kennedy’s strike partner as Brazil aim to secure their place at Paris 2024. By all accounts, the pair have forged a harmonious understanding in training (and enjoy each other’s company off the pitch), which certainly augurs well for the tournament.

“I really like his [John Kennedy’s] style of play. He was one of the strikers I followed most during my time at the academy,” said Endrick. “Training alongside him has been really good, but I hope that playing with him during these games will be even better and help take Brazil to the Olympics.”

All you need to know about the Pre-Olympic Tournament
Played between 20 January and 11 February, the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament offers two berths for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024. Brazil have been drawn in Group A with hosts Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador. The remaining five teams – Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay – are in Group B.

The tournament will have two round-robin phases but no knockout round. The five teams from each of the two groups face each other initially, with the top two from each section progressing to a final four-team group stage stage, from which the top two qualify for the Olympics.