Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has expressed his desire not to play outside his preferred position anymore, according to sources close to the player. Rodrygo prefers to play on the left wing, where he believes he performs better.
The Brazilian international was not used as a substitute in Real Madrid’s 4-3 defeat to Barcelona in the Clásico. Coach Carlo Ancelotti mentioned that the player “was not 100%”. In addition, Rodrygo prematurely left Tuesday’s training session due to a muscle problem.
Although Rodrygo has been a starter frequently this season, participating in 30 LaLiga matches and 12 Champions League matches, he has usually played on the right wing. This is due to the preference of Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé in central positions.
Sources revealed that Rodrygo’s representatives have spoken with Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez about the player’s dissatisfaction with his position on the field.
Despite this situation, the player has no intention of leaving Real Madrid, with whom he has a contract until 2028. Pérez also does not want him to leave, according to the conversations.
Rodrygo’s environment appears calm regarding his future. There has been long-term interest from the Premier League, with Manchester City as a possible destination, according to people close to the player.
However, Rodrygo and his representatives want to know the plans of the next coach, Xabi Alonso, before making any decision about his future.
Rodrygo’s environment is not looking for an exit, but neither is it completely ruling it out, although a source suggests that it would be necessary to “fight with Florentino” for this to happen.
Rodrygo believes that his performance on the left wing would justify his regular starting position in that role, and he is tired of being used in various offensive functions.
Rodrygo and his representatives believe that, with Vinícius and Mbappé often playing up front, there is space in the team for Rodrygo on the left, especially given his willingness to work hard in defense, as Ancelotti has acknowledged.
Rodrygo’s goalscoring ability has drastically decreased this season, with only one goal in all competitions in the last three months. He was substituted at halftime in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, where Madrid lost 3-2 on April 26.
Sources close to the player point to several factors that contribute to his poor performance, which they believe should be understood in the context of the team’s overall performance.
On a personal level, Rodrygo had a difficult time last year when his grandmother, with whom he had a very close relationship, passed away after an illness. In recent weeks, the player was also affected by another private health issue.
In the defeat in the LaLiga Clásico, Rodrygo didn’t even warm up with the other Madrid substitutes. With the team looking for a goal, Ancelotti turned to the young Víctor Muñoz, 21, who debuted and wasted a late opportunity to equalize.
“There’s no problem with Rodrygo,” Ancelotti said after the match. “He wasn’t 100%.”
Carlo Ancelotti
A source close to the player affirmed that Rodrygo has no problem with Ancelotti and that their relationship remains strong. Rodrygo has already publicly expressed his concerns about how he has been used.
“I’m often just filling spaces,” Rodrygo said while with the Brazil national team in September 2024. “Is someone missing there? Put Rodrygo. Is someone missing on the right? Rodrygo. Is someone missing as a number nine? Rodrygo. That’s it. It can get a little in my way, but I’m a team player.”
Rodrygo
“I have never put a player in a position they don’t like,” Ancelotti replied. “Sometimes some [players] have to make sacrifices, like Camavinga, like Tchouameni, like Rodrygo. I think Rodrygo is a complete forward.”
Carlo Ancelotti
On Tuesday, Rodrygo began Madrid’s training ahead of the LaLiga match against Mallorca, before indicating to Ancelotti and the team doctor that he felt some discomfort, and left the session early after a few minutes.
“He [Rodrygo] had a fever last week, which prevented him from training well and returning to his best level,” Ancelotti said afterwards. “Today he felt some discomfort in his leg, which needs to be evaluated.
Carlo Ancelotti
“When a player is not well [physically], he is also not well emotionally,” added Ancelotti. “He wants to play, show his quality and help the team. He is a little disappointed in that sense, but nothing more.”
Carlo Ancelotti
Rodrygo arrived at Madrid in 2019 and has won two Champions League titles and three LaLiga titles, scoring crucial goals for the club, such as in the 2022 and 2024 Champions League editions.
Madrid plays against Mallorca on Wednesday, with Rodrygo as one of the key absences, needing to win to prevent Barcelona from being confirmed as league champions.
The player posted on social media on Wednesday, thanking fans for their messages of support, saying that “he will be back soon” and urging people to “stop making things up”.
