Real Madrid achieved a narrow but deserved victory against Juventus in Miami. The team showed character and quality, although the score could have been wider. Xabi Alonso, the team's coach, has highlighted the group's evolution, which has been growing match by match in this competition.
One of the main protagonists has been Gonzalo, a young forward who's responding with goals and good play. He has scored three goals in four matches and is emerging as the solution at "9" to replace Kylian Mbappé.
Gonzalo, the safe bet
With his strong performance, Gonzalo has gained confidence within the club and the coaching staff. His adaptation to European soccer and his style fit well with Xabi Alonso's Madrid. This gives him an advantage over Endrick, who still needs to recover from an injury and is less adapted to the pace of the Old Continent.
This situation complicates things for Endrick, who, although he has enormous potential, hasn't had the chance to show it in the first team due to the circumstances. His path to success is still under construction and the competition with Gonzalo is growing stronger.
Manu Carreño and the possible loan of Endrick
Manu Carreño has spoken openly about this topic. For him, the most sensible thing would be for Endrick to go out on loan next season. This would allow the Brazilian to keep developing without the pressure of having to compete for minutes with a Gonzalo who's already ready.
"Loaning Endrick makes sense so his progression isn't slowed," Carreño said. It's advice that reflects the reality of many young talents who need playing time to grow. The loan would be a way to protect the player's career and ensure he returns to the club with more experience.
Planning for the 2025-2026 season
After the Club World Cup, Real Madrid will have to make clear decisions about its squad for the next campaign. The coaching staff and the sporting directors will have to assess which option is best for both players and for the team.
The 2025-2026 season will be key to consolidating Gonzalo as a forward and for Endrick to keep gaining minutes elsewhere so he can return stronger.
Ultimately, the key will be to balance ambition and patience to build a solid project that takes advantage of young talent without putting its development at risk.