Brazilian temporarily switched from Spain to France in January after receiving only scraps of minutes at Madrid in the first half of the season
Real Madrid’s Endrick has confirmed his departure from Lyon after completing his six-month loan spell.
The 19-year-old forward announced his exit in a post on X following Lyon’s final game of the season against Lens, where he received a standing ovation from supporters.
Endrick used Lyon’s lion symbol to reflect on his time at the club after a difficult spell at Madrid.
“In Brazil, when someone is going through a difficult time, it’s often said that they must ‘kill a lion every day’,” Endrick said. “For several months, I experienced a situation that no athlete should ever have to face, but I decided that I wasn’t going to kill a single lion. I decided to become one.”
Endrick temporarily switched from Spain to France in January after receiving only scraps of minutes at Madrid in the first half of the season. The loan move proved successful for both player and club, with Endrick contributing eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances as Lyon secured fourth place in Ligue 1.
Merci @OL… pic.twitter.com/Qd7lIZA9Uv
— Endrick (@Endrick) May 19, 2026
“The months of anxiety have given way to months of joy, victories, but also learning,” Endrick added. “I’ve made new friends. I’ve grown even closer to those I already had, and I’ve discovered that our place is wherever we are, with those we love, and with those who love us.”
The Brazil international will now return to Madrid ahead of next season. But before he contends once again for a place on the pitch wearing the white shirt, he will first wear canary yellow and represent Brazil at this summer’s World Cup, after making it into Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad.
“Unfortunately… a lion cannot stay in one place,” Endrick told Lyon fans. “I must now take my leave and begin a return journey that will be much longer because I am leaving with far more baggage than I had when I arrived.
“Thank you for everything, Lyon, you will always be in my heart.”
