Carlo Ancelotti didn't include Rodrygo in the Brazil squad and now Real Madrid fans are asking the same thing: Why not?
Real Madrid fans are looking forward to a new era next time out. Of course, Carlo Ancelotti is a club legend and this season hasn't changed anything about that, however, it was high-time the Italian coach was replaced in the Bernabeu hotseat.
Now, fellow club legend Xabi Alonso will return to the Spanish capital, where many would argue he belongs, to lead Real Madrid to new heights.
The former Bayer Leverkusen boss will implement the necessary changes before the Club World Cup, with Carlo Ancelotti already managing his final game.
... Final game for Real Madrid, that is.
From now on, Carlo Ancelotti will oversee the Brazilian national team, with the hopes of returning Seleção to their glory days. He's already completed his first task by submitting his first squad, which has raised Real Madrid eyebrows.
Rodrygo Brazil snub by Carlo Ancelotti has Real Madrid fans bamboozled
The star-man Vinicius Junior is front and centre of the squad selection, however, he is missing his counterpart Rodrygo. Having made 50 appearances under Carlo Ancelotti this season, Rodrygo won't extend that for the national team, this time around.
Such is the nature of social media, fans went into an uproar upon first hearing the news. Fans were up in arms, thinking that Carlo Ancelotti had disrespected Rodrygo so soon after leaving Real Madrid.
However, that's not the case. In fact, it couldn't be further from the truth; Carlo Ancelotti is respecting Rodrygo's wishes to take a break from the national team. Both Ancelotti and Rodrygo agreed that Rodrygo needs a break, because he is physically worn out and is experiencing mental fatigue after a topsy-turvy season with Real Madrid, which ended with heartbreak.
Carlo Ancelotti is a respectful manager. He is known to give every player an equal opportunity, but he is fair and reasoned in his decision-making. He takes into account multiple factors, not just player form.
At Real Madrid, he wasn't afraid to bench players and replace them with counterparts if he deemed it best for the benched player. He was backed up by a plethora of talent at Madrid, and he will be in Brazil too.
So, as far as Real Madrid are concerned, the reasoning is simple. It was a mutual decision between Rodrygo and Carlo Ancelotti, not a targetted omission from the Real Madrid legend.