Endrick has chosen a number for himself at Real Madrid, but it is considered cursed. Why?

After a year and a half of anticipation, Endrick can finally join Real Madrid. FIFA rules did not allow him to move to Santiago Bernabeu until he turned 18.

Today, the presentation of the young Brazilian is scheduled. Shortly before the event, it was revealed which number Endrick will wear. The 18-year-old player has chosen number 16 for the upcoming season, as reported by Diario AS. This number holds significance for the teenager, as it was under this number that he made his debut for Palmeiras in 2022.

However, this choice is considered quite unusual, as number 16 is deemed cursed at Los Blancos. The curse started ten years ago, and eight players have fallen victim to it.

In the 2010/11 season, Sergio Canales received the number 16. After playing only fifteen matches for Real Madrid without scoring any goals, he left the following year.

The next player to wear this number was Hamit Altintop. He played twelve matches for Real Madrid, scored just one goal, and subsequently left the team.

After the Turkish player, Ricardo Carvalho wore the number 16 jersey. He was already a Los Blancos player at the time and just changed his number. However, after a season with this number, he left the club.

In the 2013/14 season, Casemiro received the number 16. Although he was already a successful player, he left the team for a season, joining Porto on loan. During the season with the number 16 jersey, he made only one assist in 25 matches.

Following Casemiro, another Brazilian, Lucas Silva, wore the number 16. Just eight months later, Silva left the team, moving to Marseille on loan.

Next, the number 16 was assigned to Mateo Kovačić. The Croatian is the only exception to the curse of this number. He spent two seasons at Real Madrid with this number, but eventually transferred to Chelsea without securing a permanent spot in the starting lineup.

After a two-year hiatus, the number 16 was given to James Rodríguez, who left the club after just one year without securing a regular place in the lineup.

The last player to wear number 16 was Borja Mayoral. After changing his number, the Spaniard played only two matches for Real Madrid before transferring to Roma.

If Endrick does not fall victim to the curse, he is expected to change his number next summer. Luka Modrić is likely to leave Real Madrid, and his number 10 could be taken by Kylian Mbappe, with Endrick potentially inheriting Mbappé's number 9.