Mourinho calls on Ancelotti over Endrick as young star weighs up his future

José Mourinho has said he would be delighted if Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti gave Endrick playing time during the international break.

Endrick enjoyed a successful spell on loan at Lyon in the second half of last season, catching the eye by contributing directly to 16 goals (8 goals, 8 assists) in his 21 appearances.

However, the young star in the making has struggled for game time this season in the Real Madrid squad coached by Mourinho, spending only 140 minutes on the pitch across seven matches.

Despite having started just one match in a Real Madrid shirt this season, Endrick was nevertheless called up by Ancelotti to the squad for Brazil's matches against Japan and Singapore.

Mourinho said he hoped Ancelotti would help the youngster build match rhythm: "Look at the players going to the Brazil national team with Carlo. There is Vinícius Júnior, who is guaranteed to play, and then there is Endrick. If Carlo plays him, I would be truly very grateful."

Although Mourinho maintains that Endrick's future lies in Madrid, the young player stopped short of speaking with the same certainty about what lies ahead:

"I just want to play football. I want to be happy and to contribute to my team-mates. I want to score goals and provide assists, as I did at Lyon. That was one of the best things that has ever happened to me and one of the happiest times of my life. I don't know what will happen in January. That is in God's hands. I'm only 20 and I'll see how things develop. All I want is to take the right step for my career. Whatever happens, I'll keep my feet on the ground and carry on doing my best. Madrid is a wonderful city, but I will always do what is necessary to move my career forward."

Even so, Endrick also spoke of how pleased he is to be working with Mourinho:

"Mourinho is someone I really trust a great deal. He comes over to me every day and asks how I am, but he never does it through football; he always wants to know about my personal life. I really appreciate that about him. He was one of the first coaches to come over and chat with me and to give me such a warm welcome. I'm extremely grateful to him for that. Real Madrid comes before everything for me and I give everything for my club, but thanks to Mourinho's warm approach I want to give even more on the pitch."