Rodrygo refuses to throw in the towel at Madrid

Brazilian winger determined to fight for his place as Vinicius suspension creates rare opportunity on the left flank.

Working overtime in the gym

Rodrygo Goes skipped Thursday’s regular training session with his Real Madrid teammates, opting instead for a personalized gym workout. The Brazilian is clearly desperate to reach peak physical condition ahead of Sunday’s crucial clash at Mestalla, where Vinicius Jr’s suspension opens the door for Rodrygo to operate in his preferred left-wing position.

The timing couldn’t be better for the 23-year-old, who’s been going through a proper mare since Alvaro Arbeloa took the reins. Muscle problems kept him sidelined for Arbeloa’s first three matches in charge (Albacete, Levante and Monaco), though the club remained surprisingly tight-lipped about the specifics of his injury – no official medical report was released about the former Santos man’s condition.

Red card regrets

After missing the Monaco match despite returning to training, Rodrygo made the squad for the Villarreal game but remained an unused substitute. His actual return came against Benfica in Lisbon – a night to forget for both player and club. Before Trubin’s goal knocked Madrid out of the Champions League Top-8, Rodrygo had already received his marching orders after picking up two yellow cards for protesting.

The Brazilian quickly issued a public apology the following day, acknowledging his mistake and promising to fight for the badge. This red card means he’ll be unavailable for the Champions League playoff first leg, which ironically takes place at the same Estádio da Luz where he was dismissed.

Valencia opportunity knocks

Arbeloa has gradually reintroduced Rodrygo, giving him 15 minutes against Rayo Vallecano. But Sunday’s trip to Valencia is where the penny might drop, with all signs pointing to his first start under the new manager.

With Vinicius suspended and Bellingham sidelined for a month with injury, Madrid’s attack needs reshuffling. The most logical solution sees Rodrygo deployed on the left wing – precisely where he’s shone brightest individually, despite limited opportunities due to Vinicius’s dominance in that position.

Under Xabi Alonso, Vinicius occasionally made way for Rodrygo on the left, though these experiments were short-lived. Arbeloa hasn’t shown any inclination to rotate the pair thus far, but Sunday presents the perfect chance for Rodrygo to remind everyone of his quality.

With the right wing position still up for grabs at Madrid, Rodrygo’s versatility doubles his opportunities for playing time. The Brazilian will be hoping Mestalla provides the perfect stage to kickstart his season and prove he remains a vital part of Los Blancos’ future.