Olympique Lyonnais responded on Monday to reports circulating in various media outlets regarding an alleged clause imposed by Real Madrid in the loan of Endrick. According to these reports, the Brazilian striker would be obligated to play at least 25 matches with the French club before June, under threat of a financial penalty. The response from OL's management was categorical: there is no such condition in the contract.

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During the player's official presentation to the press, Lyon's general manager, Michale Gerlinger, was clear on this point. “Everything that needed to be published with the loan announcement has been published. We are going to pay a maximum loan fee, period. There is nothing more in the contract,” he stated, denying any additional clause related to minutes played or the number of matches played.

Similarly, sporting director Matthieu Louis-Jean endorsed the deal and praised the signing of the young striker. He described Endrick's arrival as a "winning" bet and didn't hesitate to call him "one of the greatest talents in world football." When asked about the possibility of the Brazilian playing at least 25 matches, he responded ironically: "Don't worry, he'll be able to play 25 matches." "And even more," he added.

The context of the loan and Endrick's message

Real Madrid signed Endrick in 2022, when he was still 16 years old, for a fixed fee of 35 million euros plus another 25 million in add-ons. However, his incorporation into the squad was only finalized in 2024, once he reached the age of majority. Since Xabi Alonso's arrival as manager of the Merengues last May, the forward has had very little playing time.

In the Spanish league, he only played 11 minutes and accumulated 99 minutes in total across all competitions. He only started once.This situation was aggravated by a hamstring injury that plagued him for several months and which he aggravated again in April, ultimately limiting his playing time. As an Olympique Lyonnais player, Endrick made his priorities clear for this new chapter. “I want to play and win. I want to win titles with OL, take them to the top of the standings, and reach the final stages. I'm a guy who always wants to win,” he said during his presentation. He was also cautious about his role within the squad: “I'm not here to change the team; I'm just here to contribute. I don't want to be the focal point of this team. I'm at the coach's disposal.” The Brazilian acknowledged that Lyon's interest was special for him and his family. He said that when he learned of the club's contact, it was “a very important moment” for his wife and family. He also spoke about his connection to the Brazilian national team and his conversations with Carlo Ancelotti. “He told me: go, play, and develop your football,” he said, emphasizing that he has always followed his advice.