In Spain and Brazil's friendly earlier this week, the world might have caught a glimpse of what is to come in future ElClasicos following the performances of wonderkids Lamine Yamal and Endrick.
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On Tuesday, the footballing powerhouses took each other on for the 10th occasion in their illustrious histories. While the prevailing storyline was a distasteful one following Vinicius Junior's ongoing struggles with racial abuse, a more optimistic one also came to light.
It was the emergence of each nation's newest wonderkid on the international stage. Spain with Yamal and Brazil with Endrick.
La Furia Roja's lanky and elegant teenager is perhaps Barcelona's best player in 2023/24, while at the end of the season, the Selecao's newest stout and explosive striker will finally make his way to Real Madrid.
It was Yamal who played the more prominent role in the match as he started for Luis de la Fuente's side, and was at the heart of all three of Spain's goals. It was indicative of his performances this season at club level as he produced another sensational display, walking off the pitch to a standing ovation at the home ground of the Blaugrana's bitter rivals Real.
There seemed to be a bit of a panic when Ousmane Dembele left the Camp Nou for Paris Saint-Germain at the beginning of the season, with one of Barca's main protagonists in their LALIGA title win last campaign abruptly leaving the club. However, it has proved to be a blessing in disguise as it has allowed the Esplugues de Llobregat native to blossom into one of the Spanish top flight's best performers, even at his tender age of just 16.
He may only have four goals and six assists in 28 appearances for the Blaugrana in the league, but that does not tell the whole story about his impact. His ability to get defenders to commit on a consistent basis is a large part of his game, and of course leads to spaces opening for his teammates, as was the case with Spain's final two goals on Tuesday.
The game ended 3-3, and while he may not have played as big a part in the outcome of the game, Endrick also had something to say.
The 17-year-old played for the first time at what will soon be his new home ground, and went on to score the South Americans' first equaliser with volley just inside the box. It was the second goal of his international career after becoming the youngest goalscorer for the record FIFA World Cup winners since Ronaldo Nazario just days before, at Wembley Stadium in his team's 1-0 win over England.
In the latest international break, while he came off the bench in both of Brazil's matches, he had a meaningful impact, something that will have pleased Real president Florentino Perez. The Spanish executive paid €45 million (R922 million) in December 2022 to the secure the teenage attacker's signature, and while Endrick has had extended spells without goal contributions for Palmeiras since that deal was completed, he seems to be gaining more consistent form as he approaches his official move to the Spanish capital.
Endrick netted six times in the final eight games of the 2022/23 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A campaign to help his side get over the line, and finished the league campaign with 11 goals.
In Madrid, he will have the guidance of former Brazilian wonderkids Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius to guide him in the best ways to adapt to being a Los Blancos star. Both initially struggled to break into the Real starting XI, and perhaps Endrick will suffer the same fate, but their experiences will likely go a long way in helping him acclimatise to such a pressurised environment.
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Both Yamal and Endrick are still very young and will likely still have dips in form in their ascendance to potential greatness, but Spain vs Brazil definitely showcased that the duo have a lot to offer already in their teenage years. With the pair destined to square off once again next season, this time for their club sides, Tuesday night's encounter teed up a nice potential rivalry.
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