ENDIRCK OUSTED FROM THE NUMBER 9: Real surprise everyone by offering the jersey to Gonzalo Garcia – the Brazilian leaves Valdebebas furious, and a departure would now be on the table!

It was supposed to be the start of a dream. Ever since his high-profile transfer to Real Madrid was confirmed, Endrick had envisioned one thing – walking out at the Santiago Bernabéu with the legendary number 9 shirt on his back. For decades, this number has been worn by some of football’s greatest strikers – from Ronaldo Nazário to Karim Benzema – and for the 18-year-old Brazilian, it symbolised ambition, legacy, and the beginning of his European chapter.

But the dream took a dramatic twist. In a decision that stunned the dressing room and shocked fans, Real Madrid informed Endrick that the coveted number would instead be handed to Gonzalo Garcia, a 20-year-old academy graduate who had impressed during pre-season. Even more painful for the young Brazilian was the manner of the announcement – delivered casually in the treatment room while he was still recovering from a minor injury.

Witnesses say Endrick froze for a few seconds, visibly stunned. Then, without saying a word, he got up, slammed the door, and left Valdebebas immediately. For the rest of the day, he ignored messages from the coaching staff. Those close to the team speak of an “emotional rupture” between the player and the environment he had only just joined.

Xabi Alonso, known for his belief in meritocracy but also careful man-management, chose not to address the matter publicly. His silence, far from calming things down, reportedly deepened Endrick’s feeling of isolation. For a player who had been courted by Europe’s biggest clubs, the snub felt like a brutal reminder that even in football’s grandest stages, status can be fragile.

By Friday morning, the situation had escalated further. Endrick left training earlier than expected and was later spotted entering a discreet hotel near La Castellana, where his agent was already waiting. According to sources close to the player’s camp, the meeting was called to “discuss the future, including extreme scenarios if the situation doesn’t improve.” Those options, reportedly, range from a loan move to a formal request to be left out of the squad until clarity is reached.

The frustration didn’t remain behind closed doors. Later that day, Endrick posted a cryptic Instagram story: a black background, the words “Some battles aren’t fought with your feet,” and an hourglass emoji. Within minutes, speculation exploded online. Some fans interpreted it as a message of betrayal; others as a hint of an imminent departure. Comment sections were flooded with messages like, “Join Vini in the Premier League” and “A Real Madrid without respect for its jewels?”

Meanwhile, Gonzalo Garcia – entirely innocent in the drama – has been caught in the crossfire. The young striker has done nothing but work hard for his promotion to the first team, yet now finds himself symbolising a decision that has split the dressing room. Reports suggest that senior Brazilian players, including Vinícius Júnior, have tried to console Endrick, but without success. The wound seems too fresh.

Marca claims that the club is now considering a three-way meeting between Endrick, the coaching staff, and the sporting directors to defuse tensions. However, the fact that such a meeting is even being planned just weeks after the player’s arrival signals how fragile the relationship has become. For Madrid, it is a delicate balancing act – rewarding academy talent without alienating a major investment.

In the evening, Vinícius reportedly sent a private message to Endrick, partially leaked by people close to the player: “There are silences that speak volumes… never forget them.” Whether meant as encouragement or as a warning, the words added another layer of intrigue to an already charged situation. Fans debated whether Vini was urging patience or subtly pointing to deeper politics within the club.

It is still too early to declare a complete breakdown between Endrick and Real Madrid, but the warning signs are there. A young talent who arrived with sky-high expectations now finds himself questioning his place before even stepping onto the pitch in a competitive match. And if there’s one thing Los Blancos have learned over the years, it’s that mishandling a gifted youngster can have long-term consequences – not just for the player, but for the club’s reputation.

For Endrick, the number 9 was more than fabric and ink – it was a symbol of faith from Real Madrid, a sign that they saw him as their future leader in attack. Being denied it so abruptly has cut deep, and unless bridges are rebuilt quickly, this could mark the beginning of a story no one at the Bernabéu expected: the struggle of a Brazilian prodigy whose first battle in Spain wasn’t against a rival defence, but against the politics of his own club.