Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti denied that he asked Indrik to leave Real Madrid in the next transfer window if he wanted to play in the 2026 World Cup.
The Brazilian striker is set to join Lyon on loan in January, sources have told ESPN Brasil, and has already spoken to new manager Paulo Fonseca.
The two clubs and the player reached a verbal agreement over the past two weeks, with Lyon covering half of his salary.
Endrik, 19, is looking for first-team football and has played just 11 minutes this season for Real Madrid.
“He is a very important player because he is one of the talents to come out of Brazilian football,” Ancelotti told Diario AS.
“We are evaluating him. But it is not true that I said that Indrek should leave Real Madrid to go to the World Cup. This is a matter between Real Madrid and the player. He has to talk to the club and make the best decision for himself and Real Madrid.”
Andrik, who joined Real Madrid shortly after his 18th birthday in July 2024, enjoyed a promising first season with Los Blancos under Ancelotti, scoring seven goals in 37 matches.
He has faced difficulties in playing with the first team since Xabi Alonso took over as coach of Real Madrid after Ancelotti’s departure last May, and his chances of playing in next year’s World Cup have diminished.
Endrik, who made his debut for Brazil in November 2023, was excluded from the Brazilian squad for the fourth time in a row.
Ancelotti said earlier this week that it was “important” for Indrik to “get back playing and show his qualities.”
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“Yes, I spoke to him (Indrik) at the beginning of this season,” Ancelotti told Belkar.
He was injured, but now he’s fine, and he has to think with his entourage about what’s best. Talk to the club to find out what is best for them.
“Andrik is very young, and this will not be his last World Cup. He can play in the 2026 World Cup, because he has the quality for it, but it is also possible that he will participate in the 2030 World Cup, or the 2034 World Cup, and maybe even the 2038 World Cup. I think it is important for him to get back playing and show his qualities.”
