Brazil Teenager Endrick Becomes Real Madrid’s Youngest Champions League Scorer 

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #16 Endrick celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 1 football match between Real Madrid CF and Stuttgart VFB at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 17, 2024. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #16 Endrick celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 1 football match between Real Madrid CF and Stuttgart VFB at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 17, 2024. (AFP)
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Brazil Teenager Endrick Becomes Real Madrid’s Youngest Champions League Scorer 

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #16 Endrick celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 1 football match between Real Madrid CF and Stuttgart VFB at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 17, 2024. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #16 Endrick celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 1 football match between Real Madrid CF and Stuttgart VFB at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 17, 2024. (AFP)

Endrick became Real Madrid’s youngest Champions League scorer on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old Brazil forward scored with a shot from outside the area deep into stoppage time in Madrid’s 3-1 win over Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

At 18 years and 58 days, he surpassed former Madrid great Raúl González, who was 18 years and 113 days old when he scored a hat trick in Madrid’s 6-1 win against Ferencvárosi in 1995, according to UEFA.

Endrick came into the match in the 80th to replace Jude Bellingham.

His goal came off a breakaway that started back in the Madrid defense. The youngster made a long run and had the option to feed either Kylian Mbappé or Vinícius Júnior, but he preferred to take a low shot with his left foot. Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel got his hands to the ball but couldn’t keep it from going in.

“I had passed the ball to Vini the first time, but then I felt that the best option was to take the shot and it went in,” Endrick said.

It was the first Champions League goal for the Brazilian, who went near the crowd behind the goal to celebrate close to the fans.

Rodrygo, Endrick’s Brazil teammate, joked that Endrick “was crazy” to take that shot.

“He did something that no one would have done it,” Rodrygo said. “I’m really happy for him, it’s always special to score in the Champions League.”

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Endrick showed “a lot of confidence” by attempting the shot, but joked that “I would have killed him if he had failed.”

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Endrick “had a lot of guts to take the shot.”

It was Endrick’s second goal since joining Madrid from Brazilian club Palmeiras this season. The first had come in his Madrid debut in the Spanish league.



Alcaraz Hopes Davis Cup Will Not Be Nadal’s ‘Last Dance’

Paris 2024 Olympics - Tennis - Men's Doubles Quarterfinals - Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France - July 31, 2024. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain react during their match against Austin Krajicek of United States and Rajeev Ram of United States. (Reuters)
Paris 2024 Olympics - Tennis - Men's Doubles Quarterfinals - Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France - July 31, 2024. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain react during their match against Austin Krajicek of United States and Rajeev Ram of United States. (Reuters)
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Alcaraz Hopes Davis Cup Will Not Be Nadal’s ‘Last Dance’

Paris 2024 Olympics - Tennis - Men's Doubles Quarterfinals - Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France - July 31, 2024. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain react during their match against Austin Krajicek of United States and Rajeev Ram of United States. (Reuters)
Paris 2024 Olympics - Tennis - Men's Doubles Quarterfinals - Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France - July 31, 2024. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Rafael Nadal of Spain react during their match against Austin Krajicek of United States and Rajeev Ram of United States. (Reuters)

Carlos Alcaraz welcomed the addition of Rafa Nadal to Spain's Davis Cup team for the quarter-finals in November and hoped the event in Malaga will not mark the end of the 22-times Grand Slam champion's career.

Nadal was a surprise choice for the Nov. 19-24 Final 8. The 38-year-old last competed at the Paris Olympics in July and subsequently missed the US Open and the Laver Cup this month over fitness concerns.

Nadal has said he expects to end his injury-plagued career this year after a hip injury that required surgery limited his appearances in 2023, and there has been speculation the Davis Cup could be his last event.

"It's always great having Rafa around. I miss him. I'm not going to lie, I missed him in the Laver Cup. Obviously, as much time as I can spend with him, it's a privilege for me," said Alcaraz, who partnered Nadal in doubles at the Paris Games.

"I don't want to think that it's a potential last dance for him in Malaga. I just want to ... enjoy seeing him on court as much as I can.

"It's great support having him in the team. He can bring a lot of experience to the Davis Cup."

Nadal had targeted a return at the Laver Cup before eventually withdrawing and the Spaniard has not said where he plans to play before the Davis Cup.

Alcaraz, who was stunned by unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open, said guiding Team Europe to victory in the Laver Cup was the perfect preparation for the China Open, which begins on Thursday.

"I played great matches in the Laver Cup, which helped me a lot to have more confidence coming to this tournament," Alcaraz told reporters in Beijing.

"I beat Ben Shelton, who was playing great, and Taylor Fritz, who came from the final in New York.

"Having those victories, it's great for my confidence and level to come here with extra energy knowing I'm ready to do a good result, knowing that I have a really tough draw."