Endrick: the Next Pelé

By V. Fasano

​We are witnessing history. On the 25th of October of 2022, Endrick Felipe, a 16-year-old Striker, scored Palmeiras’ winning goal against Athletico Paranaense in a decisive away match. Endrick has shown promise of being a world-class player since his U-11 days and has gathered interest from all major football clubs in Europe. He scored over 180 goals in less than 200 games for the U-20,17,15,13 and 11 for Palmeiras. 
 
Athletico's Paranaense's stadium, Arena da Baixada, was home to Endrick’s first professional goal. Palmeiras was losing until Endrick stole the ball and ran towards the goal, he then passed to teammate Dudu who couldn’t score, although the ball deflected and fell directly in Endrick’s feet, 1-1. Minutes later, following a cross from Palmeiras’ number 10 Rony, Endrick completed his brace with a beautiful header giving Palmeiras the lead. The game ended 3-1 as defender Gustavo Gomez scored his 10th goal of the season following a Cross from Gustavo Scarpa, assist leader of the Brasileirao.
 
Endrick’s stats in the professional team so far:
 
4 (0) games – all coming from the bench
2 goals
53 mins to score
1 big chance created
7 shots – all on target
100% shooting accuracy
 
2022 was a year full of glory for Endrick. In January and February, he won the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Junior, a title Palmeiras was yet to win. Endrick was considered the best player of the tournament and top goalscorer. These goals consisted of solo goals, bicycle kicks and even a goal in the 4-0 win against Santos in the final. The impressive detail is that the tournament was for U-21's, and he did all of this as a 15-year-old.

Moreover, the Palmeiras youngster conquered the Montaigu tournament in France with Brazil. Wearing the famous number 9 shirt for Brazil, Endrick was considered the best player of the tournament and top goal scorer as well. After this win, fans started comparing him to Edson Arantes, famously known as Pelé, Brazil’s best player ever.
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Finally, a month before debuting in the professional squad, in September, Endrick scored in the final of the Brasileirao U-20 to win Palmeiras the title against its biggest rivals, Corinthians, at their home stadium.