Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso is not entirely happy with Rodrygo in his squad amid strong interest from Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners are still looking for an attacking option despite the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres, while their arch-rivals Spurs have identified the Brazilian winger a possible replacement of outgoing captain Son Heung-min.
Real Madrid outcast Rodrygo appears set to move to Real Madrid amid strong interest from Premier League giants Manchester City and Liverpool. The Brazilian's situation at the Santiago Bernabeu has become worse since Xabi Alonso took charge as the manager. Rodrygo remained an unused substitute in Los Blancos' La Liga season opener against Osasuna on Tuesday.
Rodrygo will stay back at Real Madrid after winning manager Xabi Alonso's trust. The Brazilian winger was linked with a move to the Premier League throughout the summer, with Manchester City and Liverpool keen on signing him, however, after featuring in Madrid's starting lineup last week, he is satisfied with his role and has decided against exiting Santiago Bernabeu.
Vinicius Junior was named on the bench for Real Madrid's Champions League opener against Marseille on Tuesday, with Rodrygo starting in his place on the left wing. After the game, head coach Xabi Alonso made it clear that the squad must get used to his rotational policy and sit out a game every now and then, but reassured that Vinicius remains just as important to the cause.
Over the summer, Rodrygo seemed like the Real Madrid player likeliest to depart the club, with teams such as Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain all expressing their interest. However, the Brazilian winger has reiterated that he never had any desire to leave Los Blancos, proving that there was never any weight to any rumours linking him with an exit.
After finishing in the Ballon d'Or top 10 eight times, Rodrygo believes 2026 could be the year Kylian Mbappe finally gets to lift the prestigious individual award. The Real Madrid No.10, described by Rodrygo as a "football phenomenon" who is getting "faster every day", has been in unstoppable form, scoring a staggering 14 goals in the first 10 games of the 2025-26 season.