Grading every young Real Madrid player from the 2021/22 season

WF Rodrygo Goes

Rodrygo Goes’ 2021/22 season was a tale of two halves, though these halves were not split evenly down the middle. And in the end, it was the smaller, more decisive half in the second half of the season that will prove to be the final story, given Rodrygo’s importance to the Champions Legaue run and the hope that his late-season success could prove to be a springboard to a massive breakout 2022/23.

There has never been a question about Rodrygo’s talent. From the moment he debuted, Rodrygo looked special, scoring a wonderful goal against Osasuna in the 2019/20 season off the bench that was the second-fastest debut goal in Real Madrid history (behind countryman Ronaldo).

With nine goals and eight assists in all competitions, Rodrygo’s numbers do not look bad at all, particularly considering the right wing position is not his favored one. He is getting better there. But what stands out more is how good Rodrygo was in the big games. Rodrygo was the matchwinner at San Siro, bossed Barcelona in the Supercup, and then delivered three of the most important goals in club history against Chelsea and Manchester City to keep Real Madrid’s Champions League hopes alive.

Beyond the goals, Rodrygo does a lot of the dirty work to help his teammates, including tracking back to defend and carrying the ball to create. He is one of LaLiga’s most well-rounded wingers, but he is also a lethal finisher when he isn’t cutting in from the right side. That’s something for Ancelotti to mull over.

Rating: 7.5