Rodrygo's Exceptional Talent Raises Questions: Is it Time to Seek a New Opportunity?

As March 31 approached, the Santiago Bernabeu crowd eagerly awaited the return of Jude Bellingham to his relatively new home. The England midfielder, who had been absent for almost a month due to a suspension and the international break, was La Liga's top scorer and expected to dazzle once again.

While Bellingham showcased his usual array of skills against Athletic Club, including deft turns, driving runs, and angled passes, it was another Madridista who stole the show. Rodrygo emerged as the match-winner in the 2-0 victory, scoring both goals and reigniting the crowd's enthusiasm. With this triumph, Los Blancos maintained their eight-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Rodrygo's exceptional performance reaffirmed his value to Real Madrid and highlighted his world-class abilities. However, despite his undeniable talent, there's a lingering feeling that these could be his final days donning the white jersey of Madrid.

With the anticipated arrival of Kylian Mbappe in the summer, changes are expected in the Spanish capital. This leaves Rodrygo, still just 23 and on the cusp of superstardom, facing an uphill battle to secure a regular starting role. Consequently, it may be time for the Brazilian to contemplate his future at the Bernabeu.

Season so far

Prior to the clash against Athletic, Rodrygo seemed to be experiencing a slight dip in his season. Despite having some exciting moments earlier in the campaign, the Brazilian had gone without scoring for 465 minutes of football, enduring a seven-game goalless streak despite having nine shots on target during that period.

However, when examining the overall numbers, it becomes evident that Rodrygo is actually having his best season yet at Real Madrid. He has already scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in all competitions, putting him on track to surpass his previous season's totals of 18 goals and 11 assists. Additionally, his goals per 90 minutes have increased from last season, even though manager Carlo Ancelotti has given him more playing time.

While Rodrygo has had his moments of imperfection, as evidenced by his recent goal drought, and he can occasionally go missing for extended periods, particularly when deployed on the right-wing, Ancelotti has expressed his unwavering faith in the talented forward.

"There are very few cases of strikers who always score. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema... With experience, Rodrygo is going to improve in this aspect," stated the Italian coach after the Sunday game.

Mixed Madrid career

Consistency will be crucial for Rodrygo to take the next step in his career. Thus far, his time at Real Madrid has been marked by periods of prolific goals and assists mixed with less productive spells.

His limited playing time has certainly been a factor. In the previous season, Ancelotti didn't consistently deploy Rodrygo as a regular starter. Federico Valverde, a natural midfielder, occupied some of Rodrygo's minutes on the right side of the forward line, while the presence of Karim Benzema made it challenging for the Brazilian to secure a central role. Although he made 25 league starts, he never enjoyed a sustained run in the side.

Public tensions with Ancelotti further complicated matters. In 2023, Rodrygo expressed his belief that he was being misused by the manager, stating, "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 when it comes to playing."

However, Ancelotti rarely employs a 4-2-3-1 system, typically preferring a 4-3-3 formation. He has occasionally utilized a 4-4-2 diamond in 2023 to maximize the potential of Jude Bellingham while lacking a direct replacement for the departed Benzema. In January 2023, Rodrygo's frustrations reached a boiling point when he ignored Ancelotti after being substituted in a 3-2 Copa del Rey victory over Villarreal.

When given the opportunity, Rodrygo has demonstrated his worth to the team in significant moments, particularly in the Champions League, where he averages a goal or assist every 89 minutes. His contributions in the Club World Cup final have also showcased his impact. Nevertheless, until this season, it felt as though he hadn't fully found his rhythm at Real Madrid.

Tactical conundrum

There is a lingering feeling that Rodrygo has yet to discover his ideal position while wearing a Real Madrid jersey. His insistence that he is not a central striker has been supported by his lack of goals when deployed in that role, with his scoring record being stronger when playing from the right-wing. However, Ancelotti's decision to utilize him as one of two split strikers has allowed Rodrygo to participate more actively in play.

Nowadays, the Brazilian can often be seen cutting into his preferred central areas, where he can combine with Vinicius Jr and Bellingham. Yet, his recent performances for the Brazilian national team, where he is granted a false nine role, provide a clearer picture of Rodrygo at his best. In the Selecao setup, he has the freedom to receive the ball between the midfield and defensive lines, link play, and make penetrating runs at the defense.

Unfortunately for Rodrygo, that specific position is currently occupied by Bellingham in the Real Madrid team. As long as the English international remains in Spain, it is unlikely that this role will be available to Rodrygo.

Mbappe's arrival

The window of opportunity for Rodrygo to make a significant impact at Real Madrid appears to be narrowing even further. The long-standing rumors linking Kylian Mbappe to the club have gained momentum, and there is compelling evidence to suggest that the move could happen in the near future.

Depending on which version of the story one believes, Mbappe may have already reached an agreement with Real Madrid. Rodrygo himself all but confirmed the rumors, stating after the win against Athletic Club, "I don't know about Mbappe yet. I think it's close because everyone says it."

While Mbappe's desire to join Madrid is apparent and there would be no transfer fee involved, his arrival would not be a straightforward process. It would necessitate a substantial financial commitment from Real Madrid and come with certain demands from the player. Although Mbappe would not have complete control over the club, he would expect a certain level of tactical freedom, likely meaning that he would be the team's starting number nine.

This scenario leaves little doubt that Rodrygo's path to securing a regular starting role would become even more challenging if Mbappe were to join the team.

Too many top-class attackers

Mbappe's potential arrival at Real Madrid presents a tactical dilemma for Ancelotti. The team has found success with their current 4-4-2 diamond formation, with Rodrygo and Vinicius forming a promising partnership through the middle, and Bellingham excelling in the space between them.

To continue with the current system and maximize Bellingham's impact, Ancelotti could simply utilize Vinicius and Mbappe as split strikers. This would allow them to maintain the fine rhythm they have established.

Alternatively, a return to a 4-3-3 formation is a possibility. However, even in this scenario, Rodrygo's starting spot is not guaranteed, as Valverde could stake a claim for the position on the right-wing, particularly if Ancelotti wants to strengthen the midfield with additional energy.

Furthermore, the equation becomes more complex when considering the impending arrival of Endrick, the Palmeiras teenager set to join Real Madrid in the summer. Endrick is versatile and capable of playing anywhere across the front line. While a starting role from day one may be unlikely, if he impresses in pre-season and continues to showcase the quality he has displayed in his early appearances for Brazil, he will surely be given every opportunity to break into the first team. This could potentially leave Rodrygo as the odd man out in terms of starting opportunities.

Options elsewhere

While there have been persistent transfer rumors surrounding Rodrygo in the past couple of years, with clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, and Liverpool reportedly interested in him, securing a deal would be challenging. Rodrygo is currently on significant wages, and Real Madrid would likely demand a substantial offer for a player who has demonstrated glimpses of his potential to be among the world's best.

However, Rodrygo himself has expressed his desire to stay at Real Madrid. He has described the potential arrival of Mbappe as a "good problem" and has stated that he would welcome the opportunity to play alongside him. In a previous interview with GOAL, Rodrygo also emphasized that he would not consider playing for another club, regardless of any offer that may come his way. It appears that Rodrygo is not actively seeking an exit from Real Madrid, at least not at this stage.

Time to move on?

The arrival of Mbappe at Real Madrid could potentially push Rodrygo further down the pecking order and limit his playing time. While Ancelotti has expressed confidence in Rodrygo and his importance to the team, the reality is that if he doesn't have the opportunities to showcase his talent in his preferred position, the Brazilian may not feel obligated to remain with the club.

Competition for places can be healthy and beneficial for top clubs aiming to win multiple competitions. However, Rodrygo may already be at a level where he doesn't need to engage in a constant battle for minutes in the intense environment of Real Madrid.

Leaving the club will undoubtedly be a difficult decision, and wherever he goes, it is unlikely that he will win as many trophies as he would at Real Madrid. Nevertheless, it may be the best outcome for a player who still has so much more to offer and wants to fulfill his potential.