Real Madrid: 3 things Zinedine Zidane still needs to do

Unlocking Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes

There are so many wonderful young players on Real Madrid, including those out on loan like Takefusa Kubo at Mallorca. But the two players under the age of 21 who can truly be global superstars at the forward positions – and thus carry Real in Champions League knockout stage matches and as a global brand off the pitch – are Vinicius Junior and Rodryo Goes.

Already, Vinicius and Rodrygo are impressive wide forwards. In 2020, Vinicius has been one of Real’s best players. He single-handedly changed the tide of the game against Atletico Madrid, was the most important player on the pitch one month later in another big win over Barcelona, and then was the best player on the pitch in a must-win match to obtain revenge over Real Sociedad.

Rodrygo is in his first season at Real Madrid, and while he’s still developing, he is intelligent beyond any right winger of his age. Except, well, he’s better on the left, which goes to show how versatile and adaptable he is. The man scored the second-fastest debut goal in Los Blancos history, hit a perfect hat trick against Galatasaray, and had more goals and assists per 90 minutes (minus penalties) than any player before the restart, per FBRef.com.

Zinedine Zidane should recruit superstars like Kylian Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga, but he must also unlock the full potential of two players who are just as gifted in Vinicius and Rodrygo. These two young men can define a new era for Real Madrid and La Liga under his guidance.