Rodrygo Must Leave Madrid to Become the Main Man Elsewhere

Jude Bellingham was the first to voice what many might not have realized: in terms of pure talent, Rodrygo is the best player in Real Madrid’s squad. Not Vinícius Jr., despite his Ballon d’Or snub. Not Luka Modrić, still orchestrating midfields at 39. Not Kylian Mbappé, PSG’s all-time top scorer. And not even Bellingham himself, the heartbeat of this Madrid side.

No, according to the England star, who spoke after Madrid’s Champions League triumph over Manchester City, Rodrygo holds that distinction.

“He’s so underrated. For me, Rodrygo is probably the most talented and gifted player in the Real Madrid squad. The things he can do with a football…” Bellingham said before trailing off.

Rodrygo is an enigma—constantly played out of position yet always willing to do a job for the team. But unlike the typical utility player, he is no James Milner. By both statistical measures and the simple eye test, Rodrygo is a world-class talent. And while he has been vital for Madrid, particularly in big moments, it feels like a waste for such a gifted player to spend his career doing the dirty work in roles that don’t suit him. A move elsewhere might be the best solution.

Out of position

The first thing to establish is that no one truly knows Rodrygo’s best position—mainly because he’s never had the chance to play there consistently. At Real Madrid, the left wing belongs to Vinícius Jr., and when he’s not there, Kylian Mbappé will naturally drift into that space. The worst thing Rodrygo could do is stray to the left, as it would overcrowd the attack and limit space for others.

Instead, he’s stationed on the right, where he sees far less of the ball than Vinícius, Bellingham, or Mbappé. His biggest contributions in key moments often come off the ball—tracking back, staying disciplined, and helping Madrid defend in a compact 4-4-2 shape. His tireless work makes the right flank far less vulnerable.

Rodrygo, however, has made it clear that his preferred role is as a second striker. He had brief opportunities playing just behind Karim Benzema toward the end of the Frenchman’s Madrid career, and he thrived there. Speaking to GOAL at the time, he emphasized how much he enjoys that role.

“With the 4-2-3-1, behind [Benzema] is the position that I like the most, and everyone knows this. I always talk about it with the coach. Of course, I can play in all positions, but that’s where I feel most comfortable,” he said.

Since then, he has rarely been given that role. Brazil coach Dorival Júnior initially deployed him as a No.9 before shifting him back to the familiar right-wing position he occupies at Madrid. A Vinícius-Endrick-Rodrygo trio could be electric at the 2026 World Cup, but once again, it would mean Rodrygo playing out of position—an ongoing theme in his career.

Showing up when it matters most

Rodrygo’s situation feels like a waste, especially given his undeniable quality on the ball. His numbers this season paint a positive picture—10 goals and eight assists across La Liga and the Champions League, averaging 0.67 goal contributions per 90 minutes. Last season, he finished with 18 goals and eight assists in all competitions.

There’s plenty to admire in this Madrid side—Vinícius Jr.’s dazzling tricks and stepovers, Mbappé’s explosive bursts in behind, Bellingham’s elegant twists and incisive passing. Rodrygo, too, brings something special. He’s a smooth dribbler, the ball glued to his feet, capable of cutting inside or taking defenders on down the line. Crucially, he delivers when it matters most.

He’s an underrated finisher who has stepped up in big moments—his brace sunk Chelsea in the 2023 Champions League knockouts, he was outstanding against Bayern Munich in the 2024 semi-final, and he provided an assist in Madrid’s recent clash with Manchester City.

Carlo Ancelotti himself has pointed to several games where Rodrygo has “made the difference” for Los Blancos. By now, he should be considered an essential figure in this team.

Underappreciated and underused

Yet, despite his undeniable talent, Rodrygo remains underappreciated in this Madrid side. Carlo Ancelotti faces a tactical puzzle—fitting Vinícius Jr., Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo into the same lineup isn’t easy. His usual solution? Bench Rodrygo.

Despite staying relatively injury-free, the Brazilian has logged only the eighth-most minutes in the squad. He has started just 17 games—three fewer than Bellingham and seven fewer than Federico Valverde. More often than not, he’s watching from the sidelines while the team’s bigger stars take center stage.

"He's the one who sacrifices the most. I think it's clear that his favorite position is the left. But he does a lot for the team on the right side," Bellingham recently pointed out.

It’s not hard to see why Rodrygo ends up as the odd man out. Vinícius and Mbappé are Ballon d’Or contenders, among the top five players in the world. Bellingham is arguably Madrid’s most indispensable asset. Rodrygo, though brilliant in his own right, doesn’t command the same aura. The result? A world-class talent sidelined by sheer star power and often overlooked by the wider footballing world.

One of the world's best

It's a real shame because, given the keys to a team, Rodrygo could be a world-class, game-changing player. He was left off the Ballon d'Or shortlist last year—something he openly complained about on social media. Few players possess his raw ability on the ball, and his preferred position happens to be one of the rarest in world football.

Elite right wingers and strikers are plentiful, but true left-sided attackers are harder to find. The shortlist includes Nico Williams, Luis Díaz, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia—all excellent players, but Rodrygo’s talent level is simply higher.

It wouldn't be surprising to see him deliver a 20-goal, 10-assist season in a top league if given the chance. While an injury to Vinícius or Mbappé would be a blow, Madrid wouldn’t feel it as sharply with Rodrygo ready to step in. Compare him to other top wingers, and his completeness stands out. Díaz’s work rate and dribbling are elite, but his finishing is inconsistent. Williams excels one-on-one but lacks positional awareness and defensive discipline. Kvaratskhelia’s final ball has dipped since his breakout 2022-23 season at Napoli. Rodrygo, however, brings all of those qualities together—making his underutilization all the more frustrating.

Where could he go?

Navigating this situation is far from simple. Rodrygo signed a contract extension in November 2023, tying him to Real Madrid until 2028. And like all La Liga contracts, his includes a release clause—set at a staggering €1 billion. Realistically, the only way he leaves is if he pushes for a move, and if he does, there would be no shortage of suitors.

It’s widely believed that Rodrygo could walk into any top European side—most likely as a left winger. Barcelona is, of course, out of the question, but Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Arsenal would all welcome his presence on the left. Even Manchester City would be hard-pressed to turn him down.

And maybe that’s the best path for him. Life at Madrid is good—he’s well-paid, beloved by his teammates, and virtually guaranteed silverware every season. There’s nothing wrong with being a player who racks up 25 goal contributions while putting in the hard work off the ball. But until he finds a club willing to maximize his immense talent, there will always be a sense that his career has been somewhat underutilized.