The 24-year-old was subject to intense speculation linking him with a departure from Real Madrid over the summer, with reports suggesting that he wasn’t in the plans of new head coach Xabi Alonso, thanks to the arrival of Franco Mastantuono for the right wing position and the continued prominence of Vinicius Junior. on the left flank. The ex-Santos prodigy, however, has rubbished claims that he was ever close to leaving the Spanish capital, affirming that the club didn’t ask him to find new suitors despite links with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and PSG.
Speaking in an interview with AS Rodrygo explained his situation that saw him get linked to numerous big teams across Europe. “Every summer, the same thing happens to me. Whether I’m going to leave or whether I have offers from this club or that,” said the winger.
“Every week, I was in a team if I paid attention to what was published. Of course, there are always offers; I’m not going to lie about that. But I always made it clear to the club that I want to continue succeeding here, even more than I already have. It’s a lot to have won two Champions Leagues at my age, but now I want more European Cups in this shirt.
“I’ve always said: ‘As long as Real Madrid wants me, I’ll be here.’ If one day Real Madrid says to me: ‘Rodry, find a team,’ I’ll say ‘OK.’ But that hasn’t happened. The club has always told me they count on me. And when I had a problem, they were there for me. People speculated because I kept quiet. But I knew what I was going to do this season with Real Madrid and that I’m going to be focused on giving my best. It hasn’t bothered me. I was calm, and here I am… as always. This is my seventh season.”
After playing just 100 minutes at the Club World Cup in June-July, Rodrygo was expected to not feature much during the season. In fact, he was an unused substitute in two of the first four La Liga games. However, he was handed a surprise start in the Champions League opener against Marseille last month, making five consecutive substitute appearances thereafter.
Rodrygo revealed the conversation he had with Alonso, assuring that he is “happy” with his playing time, adding: “When the manager arrived he called me in to talk and said: ‘I know you like playing on the left, but I’m going to need you in other positions too.’ I told him, ‘Okay, manager, I’m here to help the team.’ Everyone knows I prefer playing on the left and that I’m much better on that wing, but I’m always available to the team to play on the right or as a number nine, and I told him so. The truth is, he’s only putting me on the left, and I like the level of minutes I’m getting. I’m doing well, although, logically, I want to play more. I’m in a process of evolution, and I’m getting better and better, and I feel happy. I’m performing better and better.”
After being ‘rested’ for the first international break of the 2025-26 season, Rodrygo has been called up by his former boss and current Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti for the upcoming set of international friendlies, which will see the Selecao lock horns with Asian giants South Korea and Japan. The mazy dribbler has stated that he hopes to lift the 2026 World Cup with Brazil, in addition to another Champions League with Madrid.
