Rabat – Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has ruled out another loan move for Endrick, saying the Brazilian forward has a major future at the Santiago Bernabeu despite his limited playing time this season.

Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil, Mourinho said clubs interested in the 20-year-old would have to “fight very hard” to convince him to sanction a departure.

“He is a player that I really like, a player that I think has lots of potential and is very important for us,” Mourinho said.

“Whoever is interested in him is going to have to fight very hard with me, because I don’t believe that he needs to go out on loan and that he will be a huge success here.”

Mourinho had already made his position clear in August, saying he rejected approaches for Endrick because he wanted to work with the forward and believed strongly in his talent.

Limited minutes after injury setback

Endrick has played only four minutes for Madrid this season after a thigh problem ruled him out of the opening weeks of the campaign.

He has since been named among the substitutes several times without featuring, including in the Champions League.

Mourinho revealed that Endrick had been preparing to come on during Saturday’s 1-0 La Liga win over Villarreal alongside Bernardo Silva, but his plans changed after Madrid took the lead and Vinicius Junior was sent off.

Vinicius received a straight red card after VAR showed him pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair, forcing Madrid to finish the match with 10 men and prompting Mourinho to prioritize a different tactical approach.

Lyon loan revived Endrick’s momentum

Endrick already spent the second half of last season away from Madrid, joining Lyon on loan until June 2026 after struggling for regular minutes under Xabi Alonso. Real Madrid officially confirmed that temporary move in December 2025.

His spell in France helped revive his season. TNT Sports reported that he finished his time at Lyon with eight goals and seven assists in 20 matches before returning to Madrid.

That form also helped Endrick return to Brazil’s plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Interest in another temporary move has resurfaced because he has played few minutes this season, with Aston Villa among the clubs linked with the forward. TalkSPORT has also reported interest from AC Milan and Roma.

Mourinho, however, appears determined to keep him.

With Endrick under contract at Real Madrid until 2030, the Portuguese coach’s comments suggest the club currently views patience rather than another loan as the preferred path for the Brazilian’s development.