Endrick reveals he is influenced by Cristiano Ronaldo, but not for the clubs he's played for or the goals he's scored
Cristiano Ronaldo has long been an inspiration to young footballers across the world, and Endrick is the latest high-profile wonderkid to heap praise on the legendary player - but not simply for his footballing ability.
Due to sign for Real Madrid in July 2024 when he turns 18, Endrick has impressed world football with his displays for Palmeiras since breaking into the first team last October at just 16-years-old.
Speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo, the Brazilian wonderkid has singled out Cristiano Ronaldo as one of his main inspirations as a young footballer, though it isn't because the Portuguese has scored incredible goals or played so successfully for clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus.
“I just want to be Endrick and want to show people Endrick," he told FFT.
“If there's anyone who influences me, not because of the teams he played for, the goals he scored or the titles he won, but because of the person he is, it's Cristiano Ronaldo."
Despite Ronaldo's character coming in for plenty of criticism at the end of 2022, which resulted in him leaving Manchester United by mutual consent after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan, Endrick clearly isn't perturbed by Ronaldo's personality. In addition, Endrick uses his idol as a motivation to play almost any match possible.
In his 20 years as a professional, Ronaldo has missed very few games thanks to his impressive dedication to staying as high as possible. A torn posterior cruciate ligament in 2016 and an ankle problem in 2007 are believed to be the only two major injury problems of Ronaldo's career, something Endrick clearly craves.
"I want to improve and not continue to get injured, so I like to see Cristiano's example."
With a move to Real Madrid a year and a half away, Endrick says he doesn't want to grow too much, telling the FFT it could cost him his impressive attributes.
"I don't want to be too big," he said. “I always say that because I don't want to lose my agility and my balance, because I have a bit of both, and I want to be a player who wins the ball in the air. But you don't have to be tall to be a gamer.
"What is needed is intelligence, so I have to work with my head. How much more I will develop, it doesn't matter to me."
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Report:
Chelsea want to sign Manchester City's £130,000-a-week player
Juan Luis Diaz's photo/Quality sports images/Getty Images
According to journalist Rudy Galetti on Twitter, Graham Potter's Chelsea are interested in signing Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte during the summer transfer window.
Galetti has reported that Chelsea are monitoring Laporte's situation at Premier League rivals Manchester City.
90min reported earlier this month that defending champions Man City are ready to sell Laporte in the summer transfer window.
The Spain international, 28, who earns £130,000 a week (SalarySport) is said to want to leave Man City after losing his place in the squad.
Barcelona are interested in the centre-back, according to 90min. Chelsea contact Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte
Naomi Baker's photo/Getty Images
Could a summer transfer take place?
In our opinion, Chelsea could sign Aymeric Laporte from Manchester City during the summer transfer window.
We now know that City do not prevent players from leaving if they receive a good transfer fee. And Chelsea may be willing to pay dearly for the Spaniard.
Yes, Laporte does not play regularly for City's first team at the moment, but he is only 28 years old and is in top form at the moment.
This way City will know they can get a very good transfer fee.
Yes, Chelsea will challenge for the Premier League title next season, but City sold Raheem Sterling to the Blues in the summer of 2022.
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