Although Rodrygo Goes is an easy name to forget at Real Madrid with all the superstars and the new faces coming in, the Brazilian international is still a part of the team and may be more important than Madridistas realize whenever he is ready to return from a devastating ACL tear next year in 2027.
Rodrygo was a pillar of the Real Madrid teams that won the Champions League titles in 2021/22 and 2023/24, and while Vinicius Junior always got more of the spotlight as the main man in his preferred position on the left wing, Rodrygo was always there to score the goals or provide moments of magic when needed, even in a position he does not like as much on the right side. And in terms of his defensive work rate, consistency, passing, and composure, Rodrygo was actually ahead of Vini.
Real Madrid fans have grown frustrated with Vinicius, and even though he had a great World Cup and was second to only Harry Kane in club football in the second half of the 2025/26 season in terms of goals scored, it's clear to Madridistas that his quality has taken a nose dive since the 2023/24 season in which he thought he should have won the Ballon d'Or- and, in truth, he wasn't even the best player on his own team, as both Toni Kroos and Jude Bellingham were superior in hindsight.
Rodrygo Goes has been missed badly
While Madridistas are happy that the club were able to keep Vinicius Junior amidst heavy transfer interest from Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, Vini needs to improve and needs more competition. He is spending too much time worrying about fouls and the refs again, and he is too ineffective off the dribble, wasting possession and time without creating real chances for himself and others.
Rodrygo Goes is less worried about what other people think or about fouls. He plays his own game, and he is just as good of a finisher as Vini while being more decisive and a better creative player with his passing, especially in tight areas against low blocks.
It's unclear what Rodrygo will have in the tank after an ACL tear, but there is optimism he will do better in his recovery than Marco Asensio did. Real Madrid could really use him back in the fold to get starts and even push Vinicius on the left flank, and as time goes on, Madridistas are realizing they miss Rodrygo even more.
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