Rodrygo Goes has been in the spotlight in recent weeks at Real Madrid, and not for strictly sporting reasons. The player is in the news for his poor performance throughout the season and his uncertain future, which largely depends on the arrival of Xabi Alonso, who will hold talks with the Brazilian to decide whether he will stay at the club or not.
Xabi Alonso, key to the decision
This Saturday will be Carlo Ancelotti’s last game at Real Madrid. The Santiago Bernabéu will bid farewell with honors to its most successful coach, with 15 titles under his belt, but with the feeling that this is a necessary goodbye after a season where feelings and results have been conspicuous by their absence, making it clear that the end of an era has come.
Now all eyes are on Xabi Alonso, who is being welcomed with great enthusiasm, but who arrives at a difficult time for the club and will have to make important decisions. As for Rodrygo, who renewed his contract last summer until 2028, everything seems to depend on Xabi Alonso. The player has been an undisputed starter for two seasons and if the Spanish coach guarantees him that role, he could stay at the club. If he has to sit on the bench, the player prefers to leave, and the club is rubbing its hands together because it knows what a good deal it can get for him.
Rodrygo and his year in figures
If we focus on this season, the Brazilian player’s numbers do not inspire optimism regarding his role under Xabi Alonso, who has even been said to have asked for a number 9. Vinicius and Mbappé are undisputed starters and have relegated Rodrygo to the sidelines in a season in which he has seen his performance drop considerably, lost his scoring touch, and has not played since the Copa del Rey final a month ago. He is apparently injured, but everything points to a different kind of unrest that has everything to do with his future.
The numbers speak for themselves. Rodrygo has not scored since March 4 in the Champions League against Atlético Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. That’s more than two months without a goal, which is even worse if we look at the domestic competition, where he has not scored since February 19. In his last game in a white shirt to date, the Copa del Rey final against Barça, the Brazilian striker started in place of Mbappé, who was suffering from an ankle injury. He had 45 minutes in which he not only failed to score, but also failed to get a shot on target, did not dribble and lost possession numerous times.
A future that points to the Premier League
With his future uncertain, but looking to be far from the Santiago Bernabéu, the Premier League enters the scene. If Rodrygo leaves Real Madrid, it will be to head for the English league. According to Eduardo Inda, the destination is clear: Manchester City. “Rodrygo, if he leaves, would go to Manchester City, which is where he wants to go. There are doubts that City will play in the Champions League, and if they don’t, he won’t leave,” said the journalist.
But Guardiola’s team is not the only firm candidate, as Chelsea is also strongly interested in Rodrygo. According to GOAL, Chelsea is closely monitoring Rodrygo’s situation and is considering making an offer. “The Blues have not yet entered into formal talks with Los Blancos, but they are already in contact with the 24-year-old’s representatives,” concludes GOAL.