'His time will come' - Xabi Alonso issues encouraging Endrick update as Brazil striker nears return from injury

The Brazilian forward has been working his way back after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the Club World Cup and the start of the new season. Despite being fit enough to make the squad for recent matches, Alonso has been cautious with his reintroduction, stressing the importance of finding the right moment for his return.

Alonso admitted Endrick has trained well for weeks and confirmed that he could feature imminently. Alonso acknowledged the competition for attacking spots but insisted the 19-year-old will get his chance, describing his return as a matter of timing rather than readiness.

“He has a chance to be a starter. He’s coming off a slightly longer injury, but he’s been training well for a few weeks now and it’s just a matter of finding the right context in the game for him to come on," said the Spaniard ahead of the match against Villarreal.

He added: “He has a goal-scoring instinct, a brutal finish. There’s just a lot of competition, but his time will come.”

With Gonzalo Garcia shining in the Club World Cup and established names like Kylian Mbappe already leading the line, Endrick faces a tough battle for regular minutes. His patience will be tested, especially as Los Blancos look to balance domestic duties with European commitments. The teenager turned down loan options to fight for his place, showing his determination to prove himself at the Bernabeu.

After their heavy 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid, Los Blancos responded with a convincing 5-0 win over Kairat Almaty in the Champions League. Villarreal await in La Liga, and Alonso will hope to integrate Endrick gradually into a squad regaining rhythm. Madrid see his development as a long-term project, with this season viewed as a stepping stone in his growth.