Summer continues and rumors about the possible departure of Rodrygo Goes from Real Madrid continue to swirl. Few clubs are really left in the running to secure the services of the Brazilian star. Firstly, because the squads of the big European clubs are practically complete or about to be, secondly, because Rodrygo has a very high salary at Real Madrid, and finally, and almost most importantly, because the player wants to stay.
According to Santi Aouna, a journalist for Foot Mercato, Liverpool has the Real Madrid winger in mind, but he is the Merseyside club’s third choice. The number one candidate is Alexander Isak, a striker for Newcastle and former Real Sociedad player, among others, and the backup plan is Barcola from PSG. The Real Madrid striker would be the third option for Liverpool, who have signed well and strengthened their squad with exceptional players, with Florian Wirtz being the icing on the cake.
Arsenal prepares an offer for Rodrygo
On the other hand, according to The Times, Arsenal is preparing an offer for Rodrygo. The reality is that Madrid will not be willing to accept just any offer, but his last season and the bad feelings he has left on the pitch have damaged his image. After the Copa del Rey final against FC Barcelona, the former Santos player did not play a single game for Carlo Ancelotti’s team. The club claimed it was due to a fever and, weeks later, a muscle injury.
The criticism of Rodrygo by Madrid fans this season has been a harsh reality for the player, at times excessive, but the truth is that the pitch does not lie and the Bernabéu always demands that players live up to the shirt. In the last 22 games of last season, “Rodry” scored one goal (vs Atlético Madrid) and provided three assists (Espanyol, City, and Real Sociedad). These are very poor and unsustainable numbers for a player with so much talent who is an undisputed starter at Real Madrid.
Every summer there is always talk of a possible sale of Rodrygo. Last season, a few days before the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund in London, the player ‘played hard to get’ with Guardiola’s Manchester City, stating that it was ‘the best team in the world’ for him, when his own club was just days away from lifting the 15th European Cup. These statements did not go down well with either the club or the fans.
No role in the Club World Cup
He started the season as the fourth choice behind Mbappé, Vinicius, and Bellingham. He made headlines again when he saw that neither the media nor even the Madrid fans were giving him the importance he believed he deserved, with his famous “R” message. Bellingham came to his defense, writing on social media that “only fools forget the R,” but the Brazilian failed to take advantage and once again appeared apathetic, lackluster, and as if nothing was going right for him. Downcast and cold, with a personality that does not connect with the Bernabéu, everything turned against Real Madrid’s number 11.
Now, the player wants to surprise Xabi Alonso and his coaching staff, despite having barely featured in the Club World Cup. Perhaps this is one of the clear signs of the Tolosa-born coach’s intentions with the player, but “Rayo” is not giving up and wants to prove that he can turn the situation around.