MOST VALUABLE TEENAGERS IN WORLD FOOTBALL

 

'JUST THE BEGINNING' JAY-Z'S ROC NATION SPORTS ENTERS AFRICAN MARKET WITH EIGHT-PLAYER HAUL

 “We’ve always recognized the immense footballing potential that exists across the continent… the sheer volume of promising young players [in Africa] is astounding.” – Nathan Campbell

Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI), a division of entertainment company Roc Nation founded by American music mogul Jay-Z, has committed to the African football market by signing up eight promising youngsters from the continent.

While they are not the agency’s first cohort of African football players–17-year-old Cape Town City winger Emile Witbooi achieved that feat earlier this year–their latest additions indicate a global company geared for long-term investment on the African continent.

“We believe Africa is a hotbed of untapped footballing potential, and our expansion here is a natural progression of our global vision,” RNSI’s Head of Global Recruitment for Football, Nathan Campbell, said in a statement.

“Our strategy is built on deep collaboration with local partners, allowing us to understand and address the unique needs of African players, ensuring they receive the best possible support to reach their full potential.”

Founded in 2019 as Roc Nation’s sports wing, RNSI represents over 100 football players, headlined by Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Endrick, alongside Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne.

The global music personalities affiliated with Roc Nation include such names as Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and J Balvin.

Roc Nation’s concerted move into African football seemed only a matter of time. The earliest sign came in 2021 through a consultancy agreement with South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns—a partnership that continues to this day.

With Witbooi signing on in February this year, it seemed only a matter of time before more African talent followed. The scale, however, was unknown.

“Africa has been a key part of our long-term global vision at RNSI,” says Campbell in an interview with FORBES AFRICA. “We’ve always recognized the immense footballing potential that exists across the continent… the sheer volume of promising young players [in Africa] is astounding.”

Six African nations are represented in their eight-player haul, from Kaizer Chiefs striker Neo Bohloko (South Africa) and Benab FC midfielder Joseph Narbi (Ghana), to Al Nasr attacker Mamadou Diallo (Guinea) and Sibonor United winger Francis Gomez (The Gambia).

The remaining four include Ifeoluwa Olowoporoku (Nigeria), Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe), Siyabonga Mabena (South Africa), and Ali Umar (Ghana). All players, except the latter two (18), are between 16 and 17 years old.

“We saw the opportunity not just to identify elite talent, but to partner with local stakeholders and provide the comprehensive support these young athletes need both on and off the pitch… The African players currently on our roster are just the beginning.”

RNSI has confirmed it is currently scouring Zambia and the Ivory Coast for more talent. The opportunity opens unique commercial avenues for players previously limited by access and exposure, thus uncovering Africa’s next crop of footballing prodigies.

- Freddie Hiney, Forbes

ENDRICK AFTER HIS BRACE AGAINST CELTA VIGO

 

YOUNG BRAZILIAN SENSATION ENDRICK FELIPE WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND |

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ENDRICK ON REAL MADRID CRITICISM: 'THAT'S WHAT FOOTBALL IS'

Endrick was booked during Real Madrid's defeat to Lille SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images

 Real Madrid forward Endrick has revealed he isn't affected by outside criticism after a defeat, stating "that's what football is."

Endrick, who joined Los Blancos this summer from Palmeiras, became Madrid's youngest player to start in a Champions League game aged 18 years and 73 days in Wednesday's 1-0 loss at Lille.

Asked about handling negative comments after defeats when playing for Madrid, Endrick said: "To be honest, I don't see anything. That's what football is; you can score a goal today, and everyone is excited, but when you lose, they throw you down.

"This happened to me, a long time ago, when I was at Palmeiras. I learned not to see. I press that little 'it doesn't matter' button. I only follow the advice of my coach and my teammates.

"That's what's important. What comes from outside, I don't care at all."

Despite the unexpected loss, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was pleased with Endrick's performance.

The Brazil forward had one shot on target and was booked during the 57 minutes he was on the pitch.

Ancelotti said of Endrick after the game: "He did well, he had a very clear opportunity. He lacked the finishing but he is young and has quality to be with us."

Endrick, who had scored as a substitute against Stuttgart on his Champions League debut, admitted it was a different challenge to start for Madrid, adding that he is learning a lot from Italian veteran Ancelotti.

"It's an incredible feeling," Endrick said. "I'm at the biggest club in the world. It's hard to play from the start.

"Ancelotti always calls me to talk, says how important it is for me to be here. I'm learning from others, I'm happy to be here. He asks me to play calmly, to be happy, and this match was no different. When I knew I was going to play, he told me to stay calm, play my game. I think I'm happy to be training with Ancelotti, who is a great coach, as everyone knows. I'm happy to be learning a lot from him."

Madrid, who saw their 36-game unbeaten streak end on Wednesday, are back in action on Saturday when they host Villarreal in LaLiga.

- Adriana Garcia

ENDRICK MAKES REAL MADRID DEBUT IN LOSS TO AC MILAN

Brazilian prodigy Endrick played 45 minutes in his debut for Real Madrid. Photo by Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images

Brazilian sensation Endrick made his Real Madrid debut in a 1-0 friendly loss to AC Milan on Wednesday.

The match, played at Chicago's Soldier Field in front of a crowd of 61,568, served as a showcase for the 18-year-old forward despite the absence of several of Madrid's star players, including Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo.

Endrick had only one shot on goal in his 45 minutes before being substituted at halftime as part of a larger rotation by manager Carlo Ancelotti, who praised Endrick's skills.

"He [Endrick] is someone who has something truly special," Ancelotti said. "He's very fast, very dangerous in tight spaces, has the ability to turn with speed in little space, very agile in getting himself free and all these qualities he has means he's a great talent. It's rare to see a player with these types of characteristics."

Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze scored the decisive goal for Milan in the 56th minute to give Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca's side Milan its second victory in two pre-season matches.

"We competed, we fought, we did some good things. The first game of the pre-season with a lot of youngsters, the important thing was to compete which we did for the whole game. There were some good moments and others we could improve on but that's normal," Ancelotti added.

Madrid's next step in the United States tour is an edition of 'El Clasico' against Barcelona in New Jersey on Saturday. Mbappé and Chelsea in Charlotte.

- ESPN News Services

TEARFUL ENDRICK PLAYS LAST GAME BEFORE REAL MADRID MOVE

Endrick waves to the fans after playing his last game for Palmeiras during a Copa Libertadores match ahainst San Lorenzo at Allianz Parque. Alexandre Schneider/Getty Image

 Brazil's teenage prodigy Endrick broke down in tears as he stepped out to play his last match for his lifelong club Palmeiras on Thursday, with fans serenading him while they held up a giant flag with his image and the words "See you soon."

The 17-year-old forward played 69 minutes in their sold-out Copa Libertadores home group clash with San Lorenzo in Sao Paulo, as the crowd bid farewell to the fan favourite who will join Real Madrid on his 18th birthday in July. Palmeiras had already made the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores.

The game was the first of what should be a couple of emotional matches for Endrick in the next few days.

Madrid have one game left to play this season -- Saturday's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, which Endrick will watch "as just a fan," before he joins the LaLiga club's squad after this year's Copa América.

"I have been so focused on my farewell game [with Palmeiras] that I didn't even realise it [was Real's last game without me]," Endrick told Reuters on Thursday only a few hours before he faced San Lorenzo.

Endrick does not seem like a teenager, given his studious approach to watching Real Madrid matches. He said it was not a leisure activity as he prepares himself for next season.

"I watch a lot of games, but not always live, because it's not possible due to our schedule. I end up studying the team more than cheering, I often already know the result when I'm watching," Endrick said.

"Watching a game is different for us players who train and travel all the time. We look at other things. Pay attention more to some elements than others. That's why I like to watch without any fuss. And if it's a big and meaningful game that I want to follow live, I do it preferably alone."

With the weekend off before heading to Florida to join Brazil's Copa America camp, Endrick said he will again follow his lonely ritual, probably watching the Champions League final from home with maybe family and girlfriend around.

Endrick's relentless competitive mentality has been focused on Palmeiras, who are approaching mid-season in their schedule, and with the Copa América around the corner, Endrick said he did not even have time to wish his future Madrid team mates good luck.

"We are all locked on and focused, each one in the big games we have in front of us. But I'm sure we will talk after the final, celebrating another Real Madrid title," Endrick said.

It has been almost 18 months since Real paid over €60 million ($65 million) to sign Endrick as a 16-year-old.

Since then he has turned from a prospect into a sensation, leading Palmeiras to a record-extending 12th Brazilian league title and becoming Brazil's youngest international since the great Pele in 1957.

Endrick also in March became the youngest player to score in an international game at Wembley, with his strike giving Brazil a 1-0 victory over England that ended the home side's 21-game unbeaten streak at the national stadium.

The assist for that goal came from his future Real team mate Vinícius Júnior, who steps back onto the Wembley pitch two months later as Madrid's biggest star in their bid for a record-extending 15th Champions League title, their sixth in the last decade.

"Vini is a reference. A star. No one deserves the Ballon D'Or more than him this year and I think our group at the Copa América will be looking not only at winning the title, but also helping him to win this award," Endrick said.

"Real have to win on Saturday. If I had to make a call, I would say Real will make it and I'm rooting for the winning goal to be scored by a Brazilian."

- Reuters 

ENGLAND 0-1 BRAZIL | ENDRICK SCORED LATE WINNER

 

BRAZIL TEEN ENDRICK EMOTIONAL AFTER HISTORIC WEMBLEY GOAL

Endrick was visibly emotional after his record-breaking goal for Brazil at Wembley. Pedro Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

 Brazil's 17-year-old prodigy Endrick admitted he was almost overcome by emotion after the Real Madrid-bound forward became the youngest men's player to score an international goal at Wembley.

Endrick, who will move from Palmeiras to Madrid at the end of the season when he turns 18, struck in the 80th minute, nine minutes after coming on as a substitute, to give Brazil a 1-0 win over England in a friendly on Saturday.

"My family is here, my girlfriend, my agents. I am not much of a crier, I am holding myself, but this is something unique and I am very happy," he said.

Based on his second half cameo, Madrid has secured another major talent for the future.

Coming on for Rodrygo in the 71st minute, Endrick wasted little time to make his mark, firing into an empty net after Vinícius Júnior was denied by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Endrick could not hide his delight as he raced away in celebration and dropped to his knees -- even though he did have to wait for VAR to confirm the goal following a check for offside.

It was his first senior goal for Brazil and, at the age of 17 years, 246 days, a record for an international game at Wembley, according to statistician Opta.

He might have scored another, but could not beat Pickford with a late chance.

"All of this affected me a little at the end, the chance I had at the end. I will not lie," Endrick said. "I was just thinking about scoring. I could only think about that. I couldn't think about the match any longer."

Brazil coach Dorival Junior, who was taking charge of the national team for the first time, said Endrick has all the tools to become a global star.

"If he keeps up the attitude he has shown up to now, he will be a very important name in Brazilian football and world football," Dorival said.

He said he opted to bring Endrick off the bench rather than the more experienced Richarlison because the Tottenham Hotspur player was still recovering his form after an injury.

Endrick's one goal was enough to win the match and end England's 21-game unbeaten streak at the national stadium.

"We know he's a dangerous player. He's managed to follow in for the goal," England manager Gareth Southgate said. "We should have defended the goal better than we did. It's a brilliant moment for him.

Madrid secured a deal for Endrick in December 2022 when he was just 16 but already tipped to be one of Brazil's next stars. Brazilian media said the transfer was worth nearly €60 million ($64 million).

He will be 18 in July.

Last year, he helped Palmeiras win the Brazilian league from 12 points behind Botafogo at one stage.

He will join other Brazil stars at Madrid such as Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo

The next test for Brazil will come on Tuesday when they face Spain in Madrid.

Information from The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services