Endrick joins elite teenage company with Ligue 1 hat-trick

At just 19 years old, Endrick is already rewriting Ligue 1’s statistical landscape. A sensational hat-trick in Olympique Lyonnais’ 5-2 victory away at Metz on Sunday did far more than secure three points — it placed the Brazilian teenager in truly elite company.

The Stade Saint-Symphorien will live long in Endrick’s memory. On just his third appearance in Ligue 1 McDonald's, the forward produced a performance that immediately caught the attention of Opta’s statisticians, confirming that his adaptation to French football has been both rapid and emphatic.

Elite company at a historic age

Scoring three goals in a single Ligue 1 match at 19 years and 183 days is no small feat. Since the start of the 21st century, only three players have managed a hat-trick at a younger age: Jérémy Ménez (17y 260d), Kylian Mbappé (18y 53d) and Ousmane Dembélé (18y 296d).

Endrick now sits just outside that prestigious podium — and stands alone as the youngest foreign player to achieve the feat in the modern era.

⚽️⚽️⚽️ @OL pic.twitter.com/cUulcGIFHF
— Endrick (@Endrick) January 25, 2026

Instant impact in Lyon colours

The Brazilian’s impact has been immediate. Endrick is only the fourth player in Ligue 1 history to score a hat-trick on his second appearance in the competition, after Emmanuel Rivière, Kaba Diawara and Eli Kroupi.

Within OL’s own history, the milestone carries even greater significance. Endrick has become the youngest player ever to score a Ligue 1 hat-trick for Lyon, edging out club legend Bernard Lacombe (19 years, 196 days).

For a Lyon side searching for attacking inspiration, the timing could hardly be better.

WATCH: Endrick scores first hatrick as Lyon trash Metz

More than just goals

While the raw numbers impress, Endrick’s display against Metz was about far more than finishing. Operating mainly from the right flank, he combined directness, spontaneity and efficiency, recording six shots on target from six attempts and completing all three of his dribbles.

Paulo Fonseca underlined the importance of such profiles after the match.

“I’ve often said that we were missing players capable of taking individual initiatives,” the OL coach explained. “With the injuries, there was a moment when we only had Alfonso [Moreira], who is still very young. Now, there is also Endrick.”

Those initiatives were visible not only in dribbling, but also in Endrick’s willingness to shoot early, attack space and make repeated off-ball runs.

A perfect tactical fit

Fonseca’s system, which operates without a traditional No.9, has provided fertile ground for the Real Madrid loanee to flourish.

“We don’t play with a classic striker in our system,” Fonseca added. “We’ve used a false nine, and that creates a lot of doubt for opponents. It opens spaces for Endrick.”

Crucially, Endrick’s contribution has extended beyond attacking moments. His defensive effort was repeatedly highlighted by his coach.

“Now we have a decisive player,” Fonseca said. “He also worked defensively, which is very important for us. He scored a hat-trick, but he could have scored even more. He can still improve.”

Confidence growing fast

That growing confidence has not gone unnoticed within the squad.

“He has a lot of quality,” said defender Clinton Mata on Ligue 1+.
“We try to put him in the best possible conditions so he can produce performances like this.”

After three Ligue 1 matches, Endrick has already recorded four goals and one assist, being decisive in every appearance so far. It has certainly been the start that everyone at Olympique Lyonnais has hoped for.