Mansion Sports – Real Madrid’s young loanee Endrick once again stole the spotlight after scoring an outstanding hat-trick as Lyon secured an emphatic 5-2 victory over Metz.

This impressive display continued his highly promising start to life in France since joining during the winter transfer window.

The Brazil international is once again enjoying football with a smile after enduring a difficult period in Spain, and he has now fully captured the hearts of his enthusiastic new supporter base.

A Reminder to Real Madrid of Endrick’s Quality

The 19-year-old made only four appearances for Los Blancos before his move to the Groupama Stadium was approved.

At that time, Xabi Alonso was considered not to have shown significant trust in either Endrick’s abilities or his long-term potential.

Nevertheless, his outstanding performances with Lyon now serve as a timely reminder to his parent club of the immense capacity Endrick possesses.

He is believed to still hold confidence that a bright future in the Spanish capital remains open, especially after Alonso was officially relieved of his duties as head coach at the Santiago Bernabeu.

A Historic Hat-Trick and a Dream Start in France

Endrick left Madrid without scoring a single goal for Real Madrid since April 2025. That goal drought finally came to an end in a highly impressive manner.

In his debut appearance for Lyon in the Coupe de France against Lille, he immediately got his name on the scoresheet with a confident left-footed volley.

That excellent display continued when he made his Ligue 1 debut against Brest. In that match, the South American player was given freedom of movement, with his agility and ball control troubling opponents on the flank.

Endrick also demonstrated flexibility through his ability to operate both out wide and as a central striker.

Lyon are considered to have successfully maximised Endrick’s potential, as highlighted by the decision to hand him the match ball after the convincing victory over Metz.

In that match, he opened Lyon’s scoring in the 11th minute, before adding his second goal in first-half stoppage time.

The special hat-trick was completed in the 87th minute through a calmly taken penalty.

Endrick Rediscovers His Joy in Playing Football

Endrick expressed his happiness at being able to adapt quickly to a new environment, after having lost part of his love for football during his time in Madrid.

He stated that he was very pleased to be able to play again and rediscover his smile.

According to him, the experience at Lyon has felt far better than he had imagined, with a warm team atmosphere and smooth communication thanks to his command of Spanish and English. He also conveyed his gratitude to the staff and everyone at the club.

He also explained his reasons for choosing Lyon as his next destination, despite interest in his services coming from various clubs across Europe.

Endrick believes Lyon’s style of play suits him very well and reminds him of Palmeiras’ approach when he played as a false nine.

He appreciates a role that allows him to contribute both defensively and offensively, as well as the freedom he is given on the pitch.

Endrick’s Future, Lyon, and the Road to the World Cup

After Real Madrid confirmed the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, speculation briefly emerged that Endrick could be recalled to the Bernabeu and restart his journey under interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

Real Madrid do indeed have the option to recall the player, but that clause had to be activated no later than 20 January.

With that deadline having passed, Lyon can breathe a sigh of relief as Endrick is now certain to complete the season in France.

There remains a significant opportunity for the player to continue developing, given that he is regarded as one of the most promising young prospects in world football today.

Endrick’s impressive performances have also opened up the possibility of him being considered for Brazil’s squad at the 2026 World Cup.

The Brazil national team are still searching for a reliable striker to lead the line, while Neymar’s role as a number ten attacking midfielder remains a subject of discussion.

By leaving his comfort zone and taking on a new challenge, Endrick has shown significant development.

He could have remained in Spain and competed with major names such as Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe, but his role would likely have been limited.

At Lyon, he has quickly emerged as a central figure, restoring the confidence that once made him shine with Palmeiras.

His first competitive hat-trick at senior club level has now been recorded, while Lyon, who are chasing qualification for the Champions League, will return to European competition on Thursday when they host PAOK in the Europa League.