Endrick's Lyon roar grows louder with first career hat-trick
The Brazilian wonderkid is taking Ligue 1 by storm, becoming the fourth-youngest player to score a hat-trick this century while lighting up Lyon after his Madrid loan move.
Former Real Madrid benchwarmer turned Lyon sensation in just three games - Endrick’s French revolution is happening at breakneck speed.
From caged lion to king of the jungle
That year and a half at Real Madrid must’ve felt like being a caged lion for the Brazilian youngster. But blimey, it’s taken just three matches at Lyon for Endrick to show what he’s truly capable of - and his roar is now impossible to ignore.
You’d need to go back to Kylian Mbappé’s early Monaco days to find a player making such a global splash in Ligue 1. The Brazilian’s arrival created massive buzz, with his unveiling video becoming the most-viewed in club history. But it’s his performances on the pitch that are backing up all the hype.
Hat-trick hero at just 19
The progression has been rapid:
- Debut vs Lille: Match-winning goal in the Coupe de France
- vs Brest: An assist but left wanting more
- vs Metz: First career hat-trick in stunning fashion
Not since Mariano Díaz has Lyon witnessed such a display - and Endrick could’ve had more! He had one goal disallowed in the first half and saw a decent header saved after the break.
“I’m very happy. It’s my first hat-trick and I’ll remember it my whole life,” the teenager admitted post-match.
Making history already
At just 19, Endrick has become the fourth-youngest player to score a Ligue 1 hat-trick this century. Only Jérémy Menez (17 years, 260 days), Kylian Mbappé (18 years, 53 days) and Ousmane Dembélé (18 years, 296 days) did it at a younger age.
Even more impressive, he’s now the youngest Brazilian to score a hat-trick in any of Europe’s top five leagues, surpassing the legendary Ronaldo Nazario’s record with Inter back in 1997-98.
Complete attacking display
What’s proper impressive is the variety in his goals:
- Predatory instinct - arriving from deep to finish Tolisso’s service
- Explosive pace - breaking through the defence for a one-on-one finish
- Cool-headed penalty - showing leadership by taking the spot-kick he won himself
Paulo Fonseca isn’t even using him as a traditional striker, but rather as a wide forward who exploits spaces created by teammates Sulc and Merah - a role that might be vacant back at the Bernabéu.
Madrid watching closely
The contrast in playing time is stark. After just 99 minutes in half a season with Real Madrid, he’s already racked up over 250 minutes in his first three Lyon appearances.
The experiment has become a certainty. Against Metz, he connected all six shots he attempted, completed 3/3 dribbles, won 6/7 duels and drew three fouls. The lad’s playing with the kind of confidence that has the Bernabéu brass taking notes.
“I’m very happy with all the love from Real Madrid fans and I hope everyone sends their prayers so I can win a title here at Lyon,” he told MARCA recently. At this rate, when he returns to Madrid, he’ll be going back as the dog’s dinner, not just another prospect.
The roar is getting louder by the week. Lyon’s new Brazilian star is just getting started.