'I'm more of a Cristiano Ronaldo fan' - Real Madrid-bound Endrick picks CR7 over Lionel Messi ahead of Brazil's World Cup qualifying clash with Argentina

Endrick has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence over the past year at Palmeiras. The Brazilian youngster impressed enough to attract the attention of Real Madrid, who triggered the €60 million (£52m/$64m) release clause in his contract last December.

Endrick is set to complete his switch to Santiago Bernabeu next summer, but is already getting his taste of football at the highest level with Brazil. The 17-year-old made his international debut as the Selecao slumped to a surprise 2-1 loss against Colombia in their latest 2026 World Cup qualifier, which left them down in fifth in the CONMEBOL standings. The fixture list doesn't get any easier for Brazil either, with a huge clash against arch-rivals Argentina up next.

Ahead of that contest, Endrick has admitted that he prefers Real Madrid and Portugal legend Ronaldo to Messi, despite the fact the Inter Miami man now has eight Ballon d'Or awards and a World Cup winners' medal to his name. "About Messi, it's phenomenal. Very good, best in the world again," the Palmeiras star told a press conference. "I just want to enjoy the moment of being able to play against him, being in the same stadium as him, looking at him up close, I only saw him in the video game. Messi is a great player, but I'm more of a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo. Now I'm seeing Messi up close, it's going to be wonderful."

Endrick does not, however, consider Ronaldo to be the greatest player of all time. In his eyes, that title belongs to the late Brazil icon Pele, as he added: "Pele is the King. There is no one who will come close to him. There is no one to be compared to. I thank God that he existed and I could have seen his films. Technology allows me today. I thought it was really cool."

After Brazil's vital encounter with Argentina on Wednesday, Endrick will return to his club for the final few matches of the 2023 season in his homeland. Palmeiras are currently top of the Brazilian Serie A on 62 points, but second placed Botafogo have a game in hand, and Endrick's side can't afford any slip-ups in their next game against Fortaleza.