Real Madrid just grabbed a hard-fought win over Osasuna in the La Liga opener, tying with rivals Barcelona on the points table after the first match week.
Honestly, there are a lot of takeaways from this game, both positive and slightly negative.
Given how well the team played, most are positive from the team’s perspective, but one negative inference can be drawn about the future of a player Real Madrid have nurtured.
Xabi Alonso played the majority of his squad today. A lot of rotations were made in the later part of the second half and although those who did not play will not be bothered much, this one Real Madrid player should be extremely worried about the way he was snubbed.
One Real Madrid superstar’s future just became clearer under Xabi Alonso
Notice that Xabi played the entire forwards roster he took to the Santiago Bernabeu, except one – Rodrygo. And it is not a good sign for the Brazilian, who is struggling for minutes.
Rodrygo’s situation is so complex, and this only makes it worse. Seeing the likes of Brahim Diaz, Gonzalo Garcia, and even the newcomer Franco Mastantuono get chances before him should tell him something.
I do not know how it could be clearer that Rodrygo’s place is gone. He has no business continuing with Real Madrid anymore.
He was once the untouchable, undisputed starter but has now clearly fallen far back in the order of preference. Even though Xabi Alonso may speak positively of him in conferences and to the media, what he does with him on the pitch shows his real intent.
And I do not blame Xabi for it. Rodrygo has shown no real output in the past many months, and giving him minutes is gambling with the odds of isolating the right wing.
Even the goal he scored against WSG Tirol came from the left, the position he simply cannot challenge with his current status.
I think it is beyond clear that Rodrygo’s future is sealed and he should look for a new destination. About 10 days of the transfer window remain and this future should be resolved as soon as possible.