Real Madrid legend backs Endrick to fill starting role in Kylian Mbappe's absence

Benyam Kidane

Real Madrid legend backs Endrick to fill starting role in Kylian Mbappe's absence image

Spanish giants Real Madrid possess one of the most dangerous set of attacking players in Europe, but they will be without their main man Kylian Mbappe for a few weeks. 

Mbappe picked up a thigh injury during their 3-2 win over Alaves last week, with the French star now set to miss three weeks. 

In their Madrid derby against Atletico, Real was held to a 1-1 draw after Angel Correa's 95th-minute equaliser canceled out Eder Militao's strike to share the points at the Metropolita as both teams struggled to create chances in a fiery affair.

MORE: The Furon7+ and Tekela 4+. Available now 

Real manager Carlo Ancelotti opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Brazilian duo Vinicius and Rodrygo starting up front, with teenager Endrick left on the bench, entering the pitch as an 87th-minute substitute, giving him little time to impact the game. 

With Mbappe set to miss their next Champions League fixture and at least one more La Liga game, former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes believes Endrick is the man to step into his shoes up front. 

“I really like Endrick’s personality," he told AS. "It’s not easy when you arrive at Real Madrid at such a young age, you have to realise the club’s status. Everything is magnified, for better or for worse. The impact is worldwide. That can affect you mentally.

"Endrick has come very young, but he has adapted very well and is showing a lot of personality. He is a boy who has characteristics that can fit in very well with what is up front.

“Without Mbappe, he is undoubtedly an alternative.”

Endrick's game time this season has largely been limited to cameos off the bench for Madrid, but he's been impactful whenever he's been on, recording one goal in just 36 minutes on the pitch (across six games) in La Liga and scoring in his Champions League debut, coming on for 10 minutes against Stuttgart. 

MORE: The latest updates on Kylian Mbappe's injury

Real Madrid upcoming fixtures

Real's next game comes away against Lille in the Champions League, before hosting Villareal in La Liga. 

Mbappe will likely miss France's upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel and Belgium, with the 25-year-old targeting a return for their La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo. 

In what is a crucial stretch of games for Los Blancos, they will then host a rematch of the 2024 Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund before their first El Classico of the season against Barcelona. 

DateCompetitionOpponent
Oct. 3Champions LeagueLille
Oct. 6La LigaVillareal
Oct. 20La LigaCelta Vigo
Oct. 23Champions LeagueBorussia Dortmund
Oct. 27La LigaFC Barcelona

If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.