“It’s about positioning” - Real Madrid-bound Endrick responds to claims that he is too small to be a No. 9

Real Madrid-bound Brazilian sensation Endrick has responded to claims that he is too small to play as a striker. The 17-year-old is one of the hottest prospects in world football and is tipped to become a superstar.

Brazil head coach Dorival Junior handed the iconic No. 9 shirt to the teenage prodigy and he delivered right away for the Selecao. The Palmeiras attacker headed home an injury-time winner as Brazil defeated Mexico 3-2 in a warmup friendly ahead of this month’s Copa America on Saturday, June 8. Endrick's goal holds special significance as Mexico had made it 2-2 earlier in stoppage time.

Endrick's small frame of 5 ft 8 in has led to claims that he is too small to play as a striker. The Real Madrid-bound attacker has, however, insisted that positioning is the key to becoming a striker rather than height.

He said, as quoted by Madrid Zone on X:

“They say I'm too small to be a number 9, but it's not a question of being small, it's the positioning.”

Endrick has a valid point as the likes of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi were not blessed with height, but they still regularly found the back of the net.

Endrick made waves as a teenager at his boyhood club Palmeiras catching the eye of European elites in the process. He has made a total of 82 appearances for Palmeiras to date, scoring 21 times while producing four assists.

The youngster's exploits saw Real Madrid make a big move for his signature in December 2022 in a deal worth a reported €35 million fixed plus another €25 million in add-ons. He will finally join Los Blancos in July when he turns 18 and looks set to become a world-beater at the Santiago Bernabeu,

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Zinedine Zidane makes big prediction regarding Real Madrid star

Real Madrid and France legend Zinedine Zidane has tipped his compatriot Kylian Mbappe to create a lasting legacy at the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos announced the signing of the France skipper on a free transfer on June 3 and Zidane has backed the attacker to excel most at the capital club.

The former Real Madrid midfielder and manager said, as quoted by Telefoot:

"Mbappe is here now. He will make history at the club and I think he’ll surpass everyone."

Mbappe leaves Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) following his seven-year stint at the Parc des Princes having shattered plenty of records. During his stint at PSG, he scored 256 goals and provided 108 assists in 308 games becoming the club's top goalscorer of all time.

The 25-year-old has also become France's third-highest goalscorer of all time with 47 strikes in 78 games. Zidane, meanwhile, had 31 goals in 108 games for Les Bleus.