Man Utd boost over Endrick transfer as wonderkid reveals Cristiano Ronaldo is his idol despite pals worshipping Neymar
MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed in a boost in their pursuit of Endrick Felipe – after the wonderkid’s dad revealed Cristiano Ronaldo is his idol. That is despite his mates worshipping compatriot Neymar or fellow South American Lionel Messi. The 15-year-old Brazilian is one of the hottest young prospects in world football. He attracted plenty […]
MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed in a boost in their pursuit of Endrick Felipe – after the wonderkid’s dad revealed Cristiano Ronaldo is his idol.
That is despite his mates worshipping compatriot Neymar or fellow South American Lionel Messi.
The 15-year-old Brazilian is one of the hottest young prospects in world football.
He attracted plenty of attention as he helped Palmeiras win their first Sao Paulo Junior Cup in January.
But with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City tracking his situation, it is United who may have gained an advantage.
Endrick’s dad Douglas told Marca: “His idol is Cristiano Ronaldo.
“At the age of 15, children usually fall in love with Neymar or [Lionel] Messi.
“His friends at Palmeiras said that his idol is a robot, that he’s a focused professional obsessed with breaking records.
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“But Cristiano is his reference and he wants to make history like him.
“On the field he’s completely focused, he doesn’t give up the ball and gives himself 110 per cent.
“He’s a machine. When he scores a goal he wants two. When he scores two he wants three.
“That’s his thing, he’s a boy who wants to be challenged.”
Endrick plays up front and is blessed with serious pace, a wand of a left foot and bags of tactical intelligence – as well as the outrageous ability to score with an overhead kick from outside the penalty box.
The prodigy joined Palmeiras aged ten and scored 165 goals in 169 games for their youth teams across five years.
But it looks as though any interested clubs will have to stump up big cash to lure him from his boyhood club amid reports of an £83million release clause going in his first pro contract when he turns 16 this July.
And Endrick would not be allowed to make the likely switch until he turns 18 in 2024 – like Brazilian compatriots Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
Real Madrid are the current frontrunners for his signature amid suggestion talks have already taken place.
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