Endrick says he could leave in January, while Mourinho insists the forward does not need a loan.
Brazilian forward Endrick headed Real Madrid level at 3-3 at Roma on Wednesday, and Antonio Rüdiger scored the winner in the 90th minute of a 4-3 Champions League comeback at the Stadio Olimpico.
Real Madrid coach José Mourinho sent Endrick and Arda Güler on at the hour mark, with Madrid trailing 3-1, and brought on Spanish striker Carlos Espí 18 minutes later. Espí made it 3-2 in the 82nd minute with a chance Endrick created. Two minutes later Endrick's header made it 3-3. Both goals came from corners, and ESPN says Güler's deliveries caused Roma problems. Güler finished with two assists, and UEFA named Endrick the game's MVP.
Mourinho gave his reason on Italian television after the game:
"When Roma asked to take him on loan in the summer, I said it was impossible. I know what this kid is capable of."
Mourinho had already said in August, while the transfer window was open, that Endrick would not leave Valdebebas, and he repeated that when asked about the forward's muscle injury. AS reports that Mourinho sees Endrick more as a right winger than an out-and-out centre-forward. That is why he chose Espí from three names Juni Calafat presented to him, believing the two can play together.
Before the match, Mourinho had insisted that a January loan was not a possibility. "Forget it, forget it. Forget any interested clubs," he said. "He is a player I love, with incredible potential. He is very important to us."
Endrick has a different view of his future. Asked about it after the match, he said: "I take it day by day. If I have to leave in January, I'll leave; if I have to stay, I'll stay." He added: "He is one of the first coaches who has genuinely spoken to me. I trust him with open arms." He also said: "If I'm supposed to play, Mou will put me on. And if not, he won't. He'll do what's best for me. I'll be ready to help however I can."
Before the trip to Italy, Endrick had played only the final four minutes against Elche, also a late change of plan, according to AS. SI reports he had been restricted to four minutes of game time all season before Wednesday.
The competition for minutes is tough. SI reports that Espí is often preferred as Madrid's plan B striker, and out wide Endrick has to compete with Arda Güler, Yan Diomande and Brahim Díaz.
Endrick spent the second half of the 2025-26 season on loan at Lyon, where he scored eight goals and made eight assists in 21 matches. That run saw him included on Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil roster for the World Cup, and during the recent international break Ancelotti warned that young Brazilian players such as Endrick need to play regularly to develop.
The first hour went badly for Madrid. Vinícius Júnior had only 22 touches before he was substituted in the 59th minute, and he was facing a four-game LaLiga suspension. Donyell Malen scored twice for Roma after halftime, both times getting in behind the defence and beating Thibaut Courtois.
The next Clásico, against Barcelona at Camp Nou, is later this month.
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