The uncertainty in the fog before an attack that produces a goal, followed 11 minutes later by a clear header into the net by 16-year-old Endrick Felipe, show why he is the jewel of Palmeiras and the talk of the football world, said his former coach while speaking about the goals that put him just behind Pele and Maradona as the youngest player to score at a professional game.
All stories begin with footsteps. But when you are touted as the next Pele, those steps make history. It does not matter that Endrick’s first professional goal was at first assigned to another player, nor that the crack’s second goal came on a perfectly placed header with Endrick flying between two visibly outmatched defenders. The goals put him in the footsteps of football’s greatest players and sent Endrick into football history books.
With scouts from Real Madrid in the stands and on the radar of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City and other European clubs, he became the third youngest player ever to score a professional goal according to data compiled by Brazil’s Gazeta Esportiva network site.
Ahead of him, only two of football’s greatest: Pele was 15 years, 10 months and 14 days when he scored his first professional goal in 1956; and Maradona was 15 days past his 16th birthday in 1976, just 2 months and 21 days younger than Endrick. The Palmeiras star reached the feat earlier than Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo Fenômeno, Cristiano Ronaldo, Adriano Imperador, and Romário.
“Endrick has been surpassing expectations every day and proving to be the great player who will bring many joys to the Brazilian people,” said Fabio Rodrigues Dos Santos, Endrick’s first trainer and mentor who spoke with Endrick after the game and reports that he was happy and promised to “continue to focus and work hard because he wants to go far beyond”.
“Seeing him debut in his professional career, and so soon after seeing him score 2 goals, makes me re-live a whole movie about that little boy who dreamed of being a football player, and today he's conquering the world,” said Dos Santos. “I personally only have feelings of joy, pride and gratitude, for witnessing so many blessings in his life.”
Endrick’s best friend Lucas,who describes himself as “his biggest fan,” said the event marked “one more step taken as little by little [Endrick] goes achieving the ultimate goal.” He said: “I remember all the times we were going to train, and for evaluations at the clubs.”. Wishing Endrick the best, he further said: “I thank God for allowing him to live this moment. I told him, he will live many such good moments...I wish him the best in life.”
“Endrick scoring his first goal was very exciting and rewarding for me,” said the young friend, now a dental student in Endrick’s native Brasilia.
“I am proud of the professional achievements and the incredible human being Endrick has become,” said Lucas’s father and Endrick’s former trainer.
Watching the game was journalist Erick Gimenes, who commented on the young players professional goals. “Endrick's first professional goals are one more step towards confirming that he really is a different player,” said Gimenes. “He [Endrick] completely changed a very difficult game that, in theory, was to consolidate the Brazilian championship title.”
Abel Ferreira's work plays an essential role in getting to this moment, said Gimenes. “Palmeiras's idea was to preserve Endrick, but Abel noted that the boy is training very well and is giving him early chances. In the last game, for example, Palmeiras were losing, and Abel took Danilo, a defensive midfielder, for the entrance of Endrick. With that confidence, the boy must grow up fast.”
And grow up fast he did. Entering the field like a swarm of bees as a mid-game replacement in his professional debut on October 6, Endrick was in form and position 20 days later when his team was at Atletico in the Brazilian state of Parana, vying for its 11th Brazilian championship title.
“That first goal is emblematic of who Endrick is,” said his former coach Silas Eduardo Severino, speaking to THE WEEK from Rio de Janeiro, replaying the confusion on the field as Endrick puts himself in position. “He does not give up, he goes after every ball,” added Severino, making sense of the scramble before the goal. Endrick is forward at high speed, passes the ball across to a teammate in position, his shot is rejected by a defender, and sent back across by a Palmeiras forward. Endrick is already there; as a teammate bounces the ball forward, Endrick, with his left knee on the ground, splays his feet and anchored in his right leg, propels the ball into the net with his left leg as his teammate misses the shot.
It was beautifully messy near the goal, with uncertainty and chaos in the middle of an attack, and it does appear that it was teammate Gustavo Scarpa who kicked the ball in for the score. Indeed, he was initially credited with the goal. Later, however, Referee Bráulio da Silva Machado reviewed his decision and corrected the record to reflect a goal by Endrick.
But according to Severino it is that very moment, more than a second, clear header-goal by Endrick 11 minutes later, that showcases the star power of the striker. “He is like a puma, a leopard, those speedy animals that change speed,” he said, adding, “he does not give up. He has the ability to change direction at high speed in an absurd way.” That, he explained, is what we saw as that goal played out. “When the goalies change position, he does, too, without losing speed and is ready to strike.”
Severino pointed out that Endrick, the youngest player ever on Palmeiras’ professional team, is in a new environment. “He is very new,” he says, “in an atmosphere that is not his. He could have been timid. When that ball went in, he knew it was his effort and he celebrated with confidence, posture.”
What makes Endrick the jewel of the team is that even though he may be in for 12 minutes, he goes in ready to be the protagonist of the entire game. He plays as if the match was his, said Severino.
With Endrick’s 2 goals, Palmeiras won the game 3-1, making the team the virtual Brazilian champion, four games ahead of the end of the tournament.
“I dedicate my first goals in the main team of Palmeiras to my family, who are my inspiration, my education and my protection. I hope to repay the affection of the people of Palmeiras, and of all Brazilians who also support me,” posted Endrick on Instagram after the game. “I hope to continue turning my dreams into goals and achievements. We continue together... Avanti!” Forward!
with inputs from Deni Moraes
