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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"92686d1e-5985-40e1-80f3-6f5a54f55b39","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Forward revealed his parents skipped meals </li><li>Grew up in difficult financial circumstances</li><li>Will join Real Madrid next summer in record deal</li></ul>

'They starved for me' - Palmeiras' Real Madrid-bound prodigy Endrick reveals his parents' extraordinary sacrifice

Serie A

Bahia

Palmeiras

LaLiga

Leganes

Real Madrid

Endrick may now be one of the most promising youth talents in the world, and a reigning Serie A winner for Palmeiras, but his childhood wasn't the easiest. In an interview with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/10/endrick-i-have-fun-playing-football-thats-what-i-want-to-do-in-my-life" target="_blank">The Guardian</a>, he admitted that he grew up in relative poverty just outside Brasilia — and saw his parents skip meals so he could eat.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking to The Guardian, Endrick addressed his childhood struggles: "I never went hungry, but my parents did. They starved for me. That gave me a lot of strength because I didn’t want to see them do that again. I didn’t want to see them in need, give me food and have them go without."

WHAT ENDRICK SAID ABOUT HIS PARENTS

The forward also spoke about his apparent cold demeanour: "I was angry at one time because I wanted to show them who I was. I tried to counter the criticism and show who I am. But then I understood that I didn’t need to prove it, I didn’t need to show the opposite. I’m Endrick. If they want to insult me, I won’t see it. Yes, it’s difficult, but… it doesn’t matter to me any more. Criticism doesn’t hurt me any more."

WHAT ENDRICK SAID ABOUT CONTROLLING HIS EMOTIONS

Endrick was subject to a high profile transfer pursuit, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/deal-agreed-chelsea-endrick-father-palmeiras-prodigy-joining-blues-real-madrid-transfer/blt367d6d82dd333337" target="_blank">Chelsea</a>, Barcelona and Madrid all vying to secure his signature. Los Blancos eventually won the battle, shelling out <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/real-madrid-sign-endrick-palmeiras-agree-60m-deal-brazilian-wonderkid/blt922469cebb1092ab" target="_blank">€60 million (£52m/$64m)</a> — a record fee for a Brazilian Serie A player.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Palmeiras are out of action until January 21, at which point the striker will likely return to the fold for the Serie A champs. Endrick will officially make his move to madrid in June.

WHAT NEXT FOR ENDRICK?

'They starved for me' - Palmeiras' Real Madrid-bound prodigy Endrick reveals his parents' extraordinary sacrifice | Goal.com

Real Madrid-bound star Endrick has revealed that his parents sometimes went without food during the Palmeiras striker&apos;s &quot;complicated&quot; upbringing.