'We want to play with the best' - Rodrygo still hopeful Kylian Mbappe's proposed Real Madrid transfer goes through as Brazilian doubles down on No.9 position frustration

Real Madrid and Brazil star Rodrygo has admitted he would welcome Mbappe with open arms to Santiago Bernabeu next season. Recently reports emerged that Los Blancos are no longer keen on signing the French star, who will become a free agent next summer, but Rodrygo has maintained that he is still keen on playing alongside a "cracker" of a player like Mbappe.

Since Karim Benzema's departure from the club at the end of the 2022-23 season, Carlo Ancelotti has deployed a new 4-4-2 diamond system at the club where Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo play as the two strikers. But the former Santos star has made it clear that he hates playing as a number nine and revealed his preferred positions.

Speaking to AS, the Brazilian reiterated that he does not like playing as the main striker. He was quoted saying: "Sometimes we talk about one thing and another comes out. It's a little bit complicated. The coach knows that I don't like playing as a 9, but I do it for the team and for him too because I believe in him. He already knew it and we had no problems."

On Mbappe's proposed transfer to the club, he added: "I don't know. You have to ask the coach or the president that. Sure. Not just Mbappe. He is a cracker and we want to play with the best."

The 22-year-old will be next seen in action for Selecao as they take on Colombia on November 17 in a 2026 World Cup qualifying game.