Following the thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma, Real Madrid forward Endrick admitted in a post-match interview that he was genuinely surprised when Mourinho summoned him from the bench.
Reporter: It was a magnificent match, an earth-shattering comeback. Can you describe how you felt out there?
Endrick: I am truly overjoyed. It was an exceptionally demanding match. I was sitting on the bench, thanking God just to be here. When Mourinho called on me to come on, I was actually a bit surprised because it was still quite early, and I hadn't played on this pitch in a long time. I had an immense hunger to step onto the pitch, and I went out and delivered. Thank God I was able to perform well, and I am deeply grateful to God for blessing me with this game.
Reporter: We saw Mourinho speaking with you continuously before you went on. What did he say to you?
Endrick: Oh, he told me to just go out and enjoy the match, and to keep tight coverage on the man I was tasked with defending—their number three. I stuck to that throughout the entire contest. God truly watched over me.
Reporter: We spoke with him [Mourinho] yesterday, and he said: "Other clubs can forget it; Endrick will not be leaving Real Madrid this season." Is your intention to stay at Real Madrid this season, Endrick?
Endrick: Well... I am a Christian, so I place everything in the hands of God and take life day by day. If I have to leave in January, I will leave; if I am to stay, I will stay.
I will follow whatever guidance God moves in my heart to do. As I said before, without God I am nothing, without God I am nobody, and without God I could never have produced a match like today's. But with Him, yes. As long as He guides my life, yes, I will submit to His will.
Naturally, I am profoundly grateful to Mourinho. He is genuinely one of the first managers who constantly takes the time to sit down and talk with me, someone I can trust wholeheartedly. Therefore, as long as I remain here, I am not working just to make the manager win, but for Real Madrid.
Yet since he has done so much for me, I will fight for him and fight for Real Madrid—that is what truly counts. Real Madrid is above all of us, so we must battle for the badge. Whatever unfolds, our duty is to fight for Real Madrid and secure victories for this club.
