Paulo Fonseca issues ultimatum to Endrick as Lyon struggle to arrest nine-match winless slide

Real Madrid loanee Endrick receives a public warning from Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca. Find out why the 19-year-old’s form is under fire during a winless streak.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 9:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from GOAL.com

Demanding Accountability From a Rising Star

The managerial honeymoon period for Endrick at Lyon appears to have concluded abruptly, with Paulo Fonseca delivering a sharp public rebuke to the Brazilian international. Following a series of underwhelming performances, the Portuguese tactician expressed his growing dissatisfaction with the forward's recent output, emphasizing that talent alone is insufficient at this stage of the season. Endrick, who arrived at the Groupama Stadium in January on a six-month loan from Real Madrid, is under pressure to rediscover the clinical form that initially saw him net a hat-trick against Metz during his debut month in France.

A Sharp Decline Amid Collective Struggles

Lyon’s current predicament has exacerbated the scrutiny on their high-profile loanee, as the club finds itself mired in a nine-match winless streak across all competitions. A stale 0, 0 draw against Angers on April 5 highlighted the team’s offensive paralysis, with Endrick failing to register a single shot on target during the encounter. While the teenager has contributed six goals in 15 appearances since his arrival, the majority of those strikes occurred during his first three weeks at the club. This recent lack of production has seen Lyon slide down the Ligue 1 table, jeopardizing their ambitions for a return to Europe's elite competition.

International Brilliance Versus Domestic Fatigue

The frustration within the Lyon coaching staff is amplified by the contrast between Endrick's club form and his recent exploits for the Brazil national team. During the March international break, the 19-year-old was instrumental in a 3, 1 victory over Croatia in Orlando, coming off the bench to win a penalty and provide a key assist. However, upon returning to France, Endrick reportedly cited travel exhaustion as a reason for his sluggishness in training. Fonseca was dismissive of these excuses, publicly stating that a player of Endrick's caliber has an "obligation" to maintain high standards regardless of the international calendar’s demands.