A major storm is brewing inside the Real Madrid dressing room. Amid whispers of tension and disillusionment, one of the club’s brightest attacking stars has reportedly made a dramatic decision: he no longer wants to play for the team. Behind the fallout lies a fractured relationship with Vinicius Jr., growing resentment over the arrival of marquee signings, and a future that looks increasingly likely to unfold away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
The mystery surrounding the player’s absence in El Clasico grew louder when he was named on the bench but did not feature at all in the pivotal match against Barcelona. Though Carlo Ancelotti attributed it to physical discomfort, multiple reports from Marca and Radio Marca suggest a far deeper conflict. According to sources close to the club, “the player himself refused to play,” frustrated by his diminishing role and alienated from his closest allies in the squad.
The player in question? Rodrygo Goes, a two-time Champions League winner who now finds himself on the periphery of the Madrid project.
“Rodrygo feels demotivated. He believes he’s been pushed aside by the rise of Jude Bellingham and the arrival of Kylian Mbappe. His relationship with Vinicius Jr. is no longer what it used to be,” one insider told Cadena SER.
From untouchable to transfer candidate
Just a year ago, Rodrygo was viewed as one of the club’s future stars, expected to lead Real Madrid’s new generation alongside Vinicius. But as the current campaign unfolded, the Brazilian found himself squeezed out of the lineup, relegated to the bench more often than not. The attention surrounding Bellingham and the high-profile signing of Mbappe has reportedly left him disheartened, feeling like a secondary figure in a squad built around others.
“The call not to play against Barca was his own,” claims Marca, adding that Rodrygo has now “stopped training properly and is emotionally disconnected from the squad.”
His tally of 23 goal contributions this season marks his worst statistical output since the 2021-22 campaign. This dip, paired with his internal isolation, has turned what was meant to be his breakout season into one of discontent and distance.
Uncertain future under Xabi Alonso
Rodrygo’s relationship with Carlo Ancelotti has also reportedly soured. Sources suggest the Brazilian refused to play in the Copa del Rey final, and reluctantly joined the squad for El Clasico only after Ancelotti made a personal plea. In training sessions, the tension has become palpable — with one recent episode seeing Rodrygo leave early, citing leg discomfort.
With Ancelotti set to leave for the Brazil national team, the Brazilian forward’s future under incoming boss Xabi Alonso is even more in doubt. Alonso is believed to favor a system featuring just two forwards, with Vinicius and Mbappe as the undisputed starters. That leaves no guaranteed role for Rodrygo, whose representatives are now seeking assurances — or a way out.
“If Rodrygo himself has doubts, Madrid are ready to move him on,” Marca adds. “They want a resolution in the coming days.”
Rodrygo won’t be short of suitors. Liverpool, who previously showed interest in the 24-year-old, are said to be monitoring the situation closely. Other Premier League giants like Manchester City and Arsenal have also been linked. While Paris Saint-Germain had flirted with a move in the past, their recent spending spree on attacking talent makes a switch to Ligue 1 unlikely.
