Arriving on loan from Real Madrid during the winter transfer window (made official at the end of December 2025), the young striker did not take long to justify the immense wait surrounding his arrival between Rhône and Saône.
A high-flying first act
Lined up from the start by Paulo Fonseca (who reunited here with his former club, Lille) alongside Pavel Šulc and Afonso Moreira, Endrick showed boundless activity from the first minutes at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium:
Lyon started strong with Afonso Moreira’s early opening goal. Endrick shudders for the first time when he finds the post with a powerful left shot. Lille got back on track thanks to Ngoy, taking advantage of Lyon’s slow time. Then the lightning shortly before rest. On a precise cross from Moreira, Corentin Tolisso intelligently heads for Endrick who finishes from close range. His first goal with OL was scored.
“God put Lyon on my path”
Officially presented on January 5, Endrick had already won over supporters with his speech full of humility and determination. He confided that he had followed OL matches as soon as contacts began, seduced by Fonseca’s game plan.
“We know why we brought him back here, so that he could showcase his talent. Today he showed it. He brings us a lot., confided Clinton Mata, speaking to BeIN Sports at halftime.
A breath of fresh air for the Lyon attack
After a start to the season marked by a lack of offensive realism (OL searched for a number 9 for a long time after the departure of Alexandre Lacazette), this six-month loan without purchase option already looks like a winning operation.
Real Madrid has also included incentive clauses in the contract: the cost of the loan decreases for every 5 starts of the player, a way of guaranteeing that the “phenomenon” gains the playing time that he lacked in Madrid.
