Mourinho closes door on Endrick departure as forward remains in Real Madrid plans

Jose Mourinho has ruled out the possibility of Endrick leaving Real Madrid, either permanently or on loan, saying he is determined to keep the young Brazilian forward despite several enquiries about his future.

Endrick has been absent from the squad because of a minor tendon inflammation, rather than a serious injury, according to Mourinho. The manager said the decision to leave him out was precautionary and designed to prevent the problem from becoming more severe.

“It is a simple case of tendon inflammation, just precautionary measures to avoid a bigger problem. I like him very much, and I have received many enquiries about him, but I do not want to sell or loan him. He is very talented,” said the Real Madrid manager.

Mourinho’s comments are intended to end the speculation surrounding Endrick, whose limited involvement at the start of the season had prompted questions about whether he might seek a move elsewhere.

The Portuguese manager sees the young striker as an important part of his attacking plans for the period ahead. He also discussed the possibility of using Endrick alongside Carlos Espai and Kylian Mbappe, although he stressed that the opponent and the circumstances of each match would influence his selection.

Mourinho said the differing qualities of his attacking players gave Real Madrid several tactical options. Rather than committing to one fixed combination, he will decide how to structure the forward line according to what each game requires.

Real Madrid are preparing to play Real Sociedad in La Liga on the following day, with the fixture coming during a congested spell in the club’s schedule. The team face a demanding run of matches in a short period of time.

Mourinho does not believe the volume of football is unfair. He described the decision to delay the start of the season by an additional week for teams whose squads had included a large number of players at the World Cup as a positive one.

However, he added that professional clubs must be prepared to cope with schedules that can involve three matches in a single week.

The manager said player fitness and readiness would remain the decisive factors in his team selections. If performance data or a player’s physical condition indicates that he is unable to take part, another member of the squad will be given the opportunity.

Mourinho also addressed the role of Fede Valverde, highlighting the Uruguayan’s ability to operate in several positions. While Valverde can be used in different areas when required, Mourinho considers midfield to be his natural position.

The player’s versatility means he can be moved elsewhere depending on the demands of a particular match, but the manager’s comments suggest planned tactical adjustments, rather than a change to Valverde’s primary role.

For now, Mourinho’s position on Endrick is clear: despite enquiries from other clubs and a restricted start to the campaign, Real Madrid have no intention of selling or loaning the forward.