New Delhi: Brazilian forward, Endrick, is finally joining Real Madrid after a year-long saga. The 18-year-old signed for the club at the start of the 2023/24 season, and he could not join the club then due to La Liga regulations. Endrick’s presentation took place today, and just before the event, it was revealed which number he would wear. According to Diario AS, the 18-year-old Brazilian has chosen number 16 for the upcoming season. This number holds special meaning for Endrick, as it was the number he wore when he made his debut for Palmeiras in 2022.
However, this choice is seen as quite unusual because the number 16 is considered cursed at Los Blancos. The curse began ten years ago, and since then, eight players have failed to create a major impact in the club. Let’s look at the players who had fallen victim to number 16 in Real Madrid.
🚨 BREAKING: 43,000 Real Madrid fans attended Endrick’s presentation. [RMTV] pic.twitter.com/vqJ28hn6Af
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) July 27, 2024
8. Sergio Canales
PASADENA, CA – AUGUST 07: Sergio Canales of Real Madrid during the pre-season friendly soccer match against Los Angeles Galaxy on August 7, 2010 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Real Madrid will travel back to Spain after the soccer match completing their pre-season USA tour. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The curse started in the 2010/11 season with Sergio Canales. The young Spanish player got the number 16 jersey but had a short and disappointing time at Real Madrid. Canales played only fifteen matches and didn’t score any goals before leaving the club the next year. His departure marked the beginning of the number 16 curse.
7. Hamit Altintop
MADRID, SPAIN – JANUARY 28: Hamit Altintop (L) of Real Madrid is challenged by; Javi Martinez of Real Zaragoza during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Zaragoza at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 28, 2012, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Turkish midfielder Hamit Altintop wore the number 16. He played twelve matches for Real Madrid and scored just one goal. Despite his skills and experience, Altintop’s time at the club was brief, and he left soon after.
6. Ricardo Carvalho
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 16: Ricardo Carvalho (R) of Real Madrid runs for the ball with Pedro Rodriguez of Barcelona during the la Liga match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
Veteran defender Ricardo Carvalho took on the number 16 jersey after Altintop. He was already a Real Madrid player and just switched his number. However, even Carvalho couldn’t escape the curse. He left the club after just one season with the number 16.
5. Casemiro
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 29: Casemiro of Real Madrid applauds supporters during celebrations at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu after winning the UEFA Champions League Final on May 29, 2022, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Casemiro wore the number 16 in the 2013/14 season. Although he was already a successful player, his time with this number wasn’t easy. He was loaned out to Porto for a season, making only one assist in 25 appearances. Despite his later success at Real Madrid, his time with the number 16 was marked by this setback.
4. Lucas Silva
MADRID, SPAIN – JANUARY 26: (SPAIN OUT) Lucas Silva poses during his official unveiling as a new Real Madrid player at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 26, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Another Brazilian, Lucas Silva, wore the number 16 after Casemiro. Silva’s time at Real Madrid was very short, as he left the team just eight months later to join Marseille on loan. His quick departure added to the curse’s reputation.
3. Mateo Kovacic
MADRID, SPAIN – JANUARY 29: Mateo Kovacic of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real’s 1st during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad de Futbol at the Bernabeu on January 29, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic seemed to be the only exception to the curse. He wore the number 16 for two seasons but couldn’t secure a regular spot in the starting lineup. Eventually, Kovačić moved to Chelsea, making him the only player to have a relatively stable time with the number 16, though not without challenges. The player struggled to slot into a regular spot in the starting XI.
2. James Rodriguez
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 18: James Rodriguez of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their second goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Malaga CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 18, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
James Rodriguez took on the number 16 after a two-year gap. The Colombian playmaker struggled at Real Madrid and left the club after just one year without securing a regular place in the team. The curse continued to claim its victims.
1. Borja Mayoral
MADRID, SPAIN – AUGUST 23: Borja Mayoral of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy match between Real Madrid CF and ACF Fiorentina at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 23, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
The most recent player to wear the number 16 was Borja Mayoral. The Spanish forward played only two matches for Real Madrid before transferring to Roma. His brief stint added to the number’s unlucky reputation.
Now, Endrick will wear the cursed number 16 for Real Madrid. His poor performance in the Copa America 2024 for Brazil has already raised questions and debates regarding his quality. Fans have been in heated discussions if the Brazillian forward can provide output at the level required at a club like Real Madrid. His decision to wear the number 16 is both brave and unusual, adding to his concerning form. However, if anyone can break the curse, it might be the young Brazilian, who has already shown great promise and determination.
If Endrick can avoid the misfortunes of his predecessors, he is expected to change his number next summer. There is talk that Luka Modrić will leave Real Madrid, and the number 10 jersey could go to Kylian Mbappe, with Endrick possibly taking Mbappe’s number 9.
As Endrick begins his journey with Real Madrid, all eyes will be on him to see if he can break the number 16 curse. His success or failure will add another chapter to the fascinating history of Real Madrid’s jersey numbers.
The 18-year-old Brazilian has chosen number 16 for the upcoming season. This choice is seen as quite unusual because the number 16 is considered cursed at Los Blancos. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
