Real Madrid-bound star Endrick has revealed that his parents sometimes went without food during the Palmeiras striker's "complicated" upbringing.

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Forward revealed his parents skipped meals Grew up in difficult financial circumstancesWill join Real Madrid next summer in record dealWHAT HAPPENED?

Endrick may now be one of the most promising youth talents in the world, and a reigning Serie A winner for Palmeiras, but his childhood wasn't the easiest. In an interview with , he admitted that he grew up in relative poverty just outside Brasilia — and saw his parents skip meals so he could eat.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT ENDRICK SAID ABOUT HIS PARENTS

Speaking to , Endrick addressed his childhood struggles: "I never went hungry, but my parents did. They starved for me. That gave me a lot of strength because I didn’t want to see them do that again. I didn’t want to see them in need, give me food and have them go without."

WHAT ENDRICK SAID ABOUT CONTROLLING HIS EMOTIONS

The forward also spoke about his apparent cold demeanour: "I was angry at one time because I wanted to show them who I was. I tried to counter the criticism and show who I am. But then I understood that I didn’t need to prove it, I didn’t need to show the opposite. I’m Endrick. If they want to insult me, I won’t see it. Yes, it’s difficult, but… it doesn’t matter to me any more. Criticism doesn’t hurt me any more."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Endrick was subject to a high profile transfer pursuit, with Chelsea, Barcelona and Madrid all vying to secure his signature. Los Blancos eventually won the battle, shelling out €60 million (£52m/$64m) — a record fee for a Brazilian Serie A player.