Rodrygo has been at the center of the storm since the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. He hadn’t been seen on the pitch, and there was a lot of uncertainty about his performance after the arrival of Xabi Alonso. His future is at stake, but nothing has changed; he is the same player we saw at the end of last season.
An assist that does not hide his poor performance
Rodrygo was responsible for providing the assist for Real Madrid’s goal in one of the few chances the team had against Al-Hilal in the first half, a counterattack, which seems to be the only way the team can hurt their opponents, but nothing more.
His image was reminiscent of what we have seen so far in 2025, not participating in the game, waiting on the right wing to receive the ball, facing up and losing it, with no collective work, no team play, offering no alternatives to the team or himself. Xabi Alonso has been in charge of the team for ten days and has tried to instil affection and confidence, but it has had no effect in this first match of the Club World Cup.
Mastantuono and an uncertain future
Rodrygo is likely to leave the team after the Club World Cup. The Whites have signed players and need to sign more, there is no doubt about that. The arrival of Mastantuono is a problem for the Brazilian, and there is a lot of excitement to see the young Argentine gem, a right winger, bring new life to a team in need of a radical change in its play, in some of its players, and in the ambition that some players seem to have lost.
Rodrygo could leave a lot of money in the Valdebebas offices, money that would be very welcome given the high spending Florentino is currently engaged in. Arsenal seems best placed to sign him after the World Cup, but Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United are keeping a close eye on the situation.
At Real Madrid, they know the Brazilian’s quality and that he could regain his form, but they believe they already have Vinicius and Mbappé, players of a similar caliber who are above him. They are closely monitoring his progress in this championship, but right now, the Brazilian is only giving fuel to the rumors of his departure.
Rodrygo and his decision
Rodrygo wants to stay at Real Madrid, but he does not want to play a secondary role, especially in a World Cup season. He knows he will have a lot of competition in the national team and that he will have to be at his best if he wants to be considered by Ancelotti, who left him out of his first squad, although in principle he is still in the plans. Moving to the Premier League is now a second option, although he knows that at his new club he will have more playing time, a higher salary and will be able to play as a left winger, the position where he feels most comfortable and where he knows he can perform better and create more danger.
A lot of time has passed since we last saw Rodrygo on a pitch, but we have seen few changes since his last appearance. Xabi Alonso has work to do, and so does he, if he wants to continue wearing the white shirt and convince a board that is increasingly convinced that it is time to say goodbye to the Brazilian and get a good financial return for him. His replacement arrives on August 15, when Mastantuono turns 18, and with Brahim, the right wing position is well covered. Rodrygo could be playing his last games with Real Madrid; a lot has to change for him to stay next season.