It took him months to really get going this season and he even vented his frustration publicly. Since good talks with Carlo Ancelotti, Rodrygo is now blossoming
Rodrygo has already had one really big performance: in the 2022 Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City, his late brace enabled Real Madrid to secure a comeback victory, reach the final and ultimately win the title. However, both his club and the 22-year-old himself are still waiting for the great explosion in performance that his compatriot Vinicius Junior recently achieved.
Many attribute the fact that this has not yet happened to the fact that Rodrygo is not playing in his best position at Madrid. Most recently, it was Rodrygo himself who did this in public. “I just don’t like playing as a nine, even though that’s what I have to do at my club,” the strong technician, who sees himself “first as a playmaker” and “then on the wings”, said in mid-October while playing for the Brazilian national team.
In recent years, he had at least been allowed to play on the right wing, but since the departure of Karim Benzema, who could not be replaced in terms of quality, Real have been playing with a double front line. When Rodrygo plays, and he usually does, he plays there. Which neither pleases him nor really suits him. A meagre two goals and one assist from the first 15 games of the season underline this. Disappointing figures for a striker who doesn’t want to be just a striker.
After Rodrygo’s public complaints, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti sought an open exchange. And his sulking protégé promptly scored the opening goal in the Champions League match in Braga on October 24. “I would like to thank my coach, who trusted me and encouraged me,” said the Brazilian afterwards – while his knot gradually loosened.
Directly involved in nine goals in three games
The right-footer was still up in the air during the Clasico win in Barcelona, which is why Ancelotti gave him a breather one game later against Rayo Vallecano. Which turned out to be the right decision. Because rested, at peace with himself (“The form crisis was my fault”) and with the certainty of greater freedom in his unloved position, Rodrygo has exploded since then.
He scored and assisted in the 3-0 home win over Braga and scored twice and provided two assists in the 5-1 win over Valencia. And in the 3-0 win in Cadiz on Sunday evening, the 22-year-old scored a fantastic brace in the absence of the seriously injured Vinicius Junior and set up Jude Bellingham for the final goal.
This improved performance makes it five goals and four assists from the last three games. Suddenly it’s all coming out, ketchup bottle principle. Meanwhile, Rodrygo’s numbers read well even for a striker
