In the ever-changing world of football, Rodrygo remains a puzzle waiting to be solved.
Individual ambitions are always intertwined with club strategies in football, and in the midst of this dilemma, Brazilian star Rodrygo Goes finds himself at the heart of a puzzling question about his future with Real Madrid.
With the club’s announcement of signing Argentine talent Franco Mastantuono, who plays as a right winger like Rodrygo, and the growing role of young Turkish star Arda Güler in the team’s plans, Rodrygo’s place in the starting lineup has become a matter of doubt.
And amid this uncertainty, Arsenal, under the leadership of Mikel Arteta, has shown interest in signing the Brazilian player, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Will Rodrygo stay at the Bernabéu to prove himself under new coach Xabi Alonso, or will he choose a new adventure in the Premier League?
The new era at Real Madrid
Rodrygo, now 24 years old, has been an integral part of Real Madrid’s successes since joining from Santos in July 2019.
Across 267 matches, he has scored 68 goals and provided 50 assists, showing his ability to make an impact in big games. However, last season (2024/2025) wasn’t his best, as he netted 14 goals and provided 10 assists in 51 matches, but struggled with consistency.
This came at a time of major changes at Real Madrid, starting with the departure of coach Carlo Ancelotti and the appointment of Xabi Alonso, along with new signings that threaten to reduce his role.
One of the biggest challenges Rodrygo faces is the signing of promising Argentine right winger Franco Mastantuono. This signing puts direct pressure on Rodrygo’s position, as both players compete for the same role.
In addition, young Turkish star Arda Güler has emerged as a new force in the team during the final months of Ancelotti’s tenure.
Güler, who has shown exceptional ability as a fourth midfielder linking midfield and attack, has become a preferred option to provide key passes for Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé.
This tactical development could mean Rodrygo finds himself out of the starting lineup, especially if Alonso opts to rely on the Vinícius-Mbappé duo in attack.
A decisive meeting with Alonso
According to reports from reliable sources such as Marca and Real Madrid Confidencial, Rodrygo held a face-to-face meeting with Xabi Alonso at the Valdebebas training center.
This meeting was decisive in determining the player’s stance on his future. Alonso, who took over at Real Madrid after a successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, assured Rodrygo that he is a key part of his plans.
According to the reports, Alonso expressed his desire to adopt a fast, dynamic, and direct style of play — something that perfectly suits Rodrygo’s abilities.
This positive conversation seemed to restore confidence to the Brazilian, who shared a training photo with the caption “Happy,” indicating his satisfaction with the current situation.