Rodrygo Goes is currently experiencing a challenging period at Real Madrid. As a two-time Champions League winner and the youngest player to obtain 13 titles in the club’s history, Rodrygo has been an undisputed choice for Carlo Ancelotti over the past few years. However, in a recent match against Osasuna, the Brazilian forward found himself at the bottom of the offensive rotation under coach Xabi Alonso. Despite warming up for much of the second half, he did not play a single minute, while teammates Brahim, Mastantuono, and Gonzalo García took the field, further amplifying a tense atmosphere within the club, the coaching staff, and Rodrygo himself.
The next ten days in the transfer market will be crucial for the Brazilian’s career, especially considering the upcoming World Cup. Unfortunately, the situation is not only tense but also convoluted. Alonso has repeatedly assured that he “counts on everyone,” including during the past Club World Cup, despite questions about Rodrygo’s limited playing time during the tournament held in the United States. The ex-Santos player was a starter in the first match against Al-Hilal but only played 30 more minutes throughout the tournament—25 against Salzburg in the third round and five against Dortmund in the quarter-finals. Furthermore, there were no minutes for him in the knockout phases against Juventus and PSG.
Despite the coach’s assurances and Rodrygo’s goal in the only preseason friendly against Tirol, the script repeated itself against Osasuna—Rodrygo warmed up but did not play.
The dynamic between the player and coach appears to be somewhat strained, much like the current transfer market wait. Alonso insisted that “nothing is going on with Rodrygo,” but his decision on match day served as a significant message.
No Desire to Leave
For now, sources indicate that the forward wishes to remain at Real Madrid. Beyond football, he is happy in the city. Rodrygo lives with his parents, sister, and several friends who are well integrated into the capital, a crucial aspect for him and his family. They frequently attend an evangelical church and have built their life in Madrid over the past seven years.
On the footballing front, Goes feels that playing for Real Madrid is the pinnacle, and he does not want to rush into asking for a transfer. Having overcome a mental block during the last weeks of the previous season, where he recognized he wasn’t ready to play, he is looking forward to a conversation with Alonso to persuade him that there is still a place for him in the squad despite his current role.
Additionally, there is the financial aspect that concerns both the player and the club. Real Madrid has a clear policy: if a player receives an offer and wants to leave, no one will stand in their way. However, that is not the case for Rodrygo at this moment. No clubs have approached Madrid, nor has he received serious interest from teams he would consider appealing destinations, such as Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, or PSG. Although there have been remarks from Guardiola, Arteta, or Luis Enrique regarding him, there hasn’t been any concrete offer. Without a proposal that promises to enhance his salary at the Bernabéu, there will be no offer to the club, nor will there be a sale.
A significant moment awaits this Sunday in Oviedo. Alonso emphasizes that the season is long and that there will be opportunities for everyone. If Rodrygo again finds himself without minutes, his situation could become even more precarious. His market value has already dropped from €110 million to €90 million in recent months, according to Transfermarkt. At just 24 years old and with a contract until 2028, the player understands he cannot afford a year in obscurity, especially when he is willing to fight for his position.
Both Madrid and the player are awaiting developments. If no offers come in, the team is hopeful that Alonso, after the market closes and the rumors are put to rest, can extract the best version of the player. But that will be determined come September 1. For now, it is a waiting game filled with tension.