Real Madrid: Can Rodrygo become the best in the world?

Coming into El Clasico much was being made of the battle between two talismans up front. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski. Both have won it all when it comes to club football, with the only exception being the Ballon d’Or in the Frenchman’s cabinet.

While Benzema still adjusts the Ballon d’Or in his trophy cabinet, many in Madrid might have their sights set on winning the prize in the future. Rodrygo is one such name, which won’t raise many eyebrows, but many will feel it’s too early to mention him in that discussion. Merely 21 years of age, the Brazilian is not even a nailed on starter in the Los Merengues line up yet. His position is also not fixed with Carlo Ancelotti using him as a right winger, a false nine and even a striker at times.

Even in the El Clasico, Fede Valverde was preferred ahead of Rodrygo and the Brazilian was brought on with only five minutes plus injury time to play. The fact that he was brought on as a “like for like substitute” for Vinicius Junior is no mean feat in itself, but his primary role was to keep the ball in the opposition half as much as possible with Barcelona having just scored a couple of minutes prior through Ferran Torres.

Rodrygo excelled in the role though, by not only winning the penalty for Real Madrid but by scoring the same with calm and poise, to put the game to bed. That goal crushed any hopes of Xavi’s team making a comeback and sealed a 3-1 win for Los Blancos.

Can Real Madrid youngster become the best in the world?

The performance from Rodrygo was no surprise. But him shouldering the responsibility of taking the penalty himself was surely one. Yes, he has previously scored one in the shootout against Atletico Madrid in Supercopa final in 2020 but he had also declined one; when offered by Benzema; with the chance to complete what would have been a stunning hattrick against Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final last season.

No such qualms in the El Clasico. Granted that Benzema was not on the pitch when the penalty was awarded, still plenty of senior players were like David Alaba, Toni Kroos and most interestingly Marco Asensio.

Yet it was the composure and manner in which Rodrygo simply picked the ball and converted speaks volumes about the mental toughness of the Brazilian. Had it gone wrong and Barcelona somehow mustered a comeback, he would have been painted as the villain of the day. But that’s exactly what makes the current crop of Real Madrid’s youngsters so special. They have the confidence and ability to perform in even the biggest of games.

Rodrygo has been quite unlucky this season when it comes to his opportunities. According to stats from Transfermarkt, he has scored 6 goals and provided 5 assists in 16 appearances. Yet, a number of them have come with him as a centre-forward in the absence of Benzema, which is certainly not his best position.

The good thing is that Rodrygo is playing regular football now. How far will he go? Only time will tell. But his cameo in the El Clasico showed that he certainly has the mindset of a top player.