Endrick Eyes Copa America Victory and Real Madrid Dream
Brazilian teenage prodigy Endrick said he was determined to win his first Copa America and fulfill his dream of playing for Real Madrid.
Although the Copa America kicks off on June 20, Brazil will make their debut on June 24 against Costa Rica at
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles but before that they will play two friendly games against Mexico and the United States on June 8 and 12 in Texas and Florida, respectively.
Endrick went to meet his teammates in Orlando, Florida, where he greeted staff and Brazilian team coach Dorival Junior, footage shared by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) showed.
"I'm not thinking what I can do to break a record, to be the youngest boy to score a goal or to score in the Copa America. What I'm really looking for is to help the national team and help the whole coaching staff and the squad," the teenager said during an interview with CBF.
The 17-year-old forward played his last match for his lifelong club Palmeiras, with fans serenading him while they held up a giant flag with his image and the words "See you soon".
Endrick is set to join Real Madrid on his 18th birthday on July 21.
It has been almost 18 months since Real paid over $65 million to sign Endrick as a 16-year-old.
Since then he has turned from a prospect into a sensation, leading Palmeiras to a record-extending 12th Brazilian league title and becoming Brazil's youngest international since the great Pele in 1957.
Endrick also became the youngest player to score in an international match at Wembley in March, when his strike gave Brazil a 1-0 victory over England that ended the home side's 21-game unbeaten run at the national stadium.