Arsenal target Rodrygo started for Real Madrid in their opening Club World Cup game against Al-Hilal in the United States.
There has been a lot of speculation regarding the Brazilian’s future in recent months. Suggestions from Spain have been that he could be on the move this summer.
Arsenal are interested in signing Rodrygo, but Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is keen to keep hold of the Gunners target.
That’s probably why he was handed a start against Al-Hilal on Wednesday night, but how did he fare? Here’s what the media outlets in his country have had to say about him.
Spanish media reacts to Arsenal target Rodrygo’s performance at the Club World Cup
Rodrygo started on the right wing in Alonso’s first game as Real Madrid manager.
The Galacticos went into the game as the favourites against Saudi side Al-Hilal, but to many people’s surprise, they were held to a 1-1 draw.
Gonzalo Garcia scored Real Madrid’s goal, and that came following a beautiful pass from Rodrygo to set him up inside the box.
That was definitely the highlight of the Brazilian’s game, but there were other moments where he was not really convincing for Los Blancos.
That is why the reaction from the Spanish media about his performance is quite mixed.
Defensa Central gave him a 4/10 rating and said: “After several weeks of rumours surrounding his continuity, another golden opportunity finally arrived. He started on the right wing, despite all the talk about his role in that position.
“He had been making more than his fair share of mistakes until the 33rd minute, when his dribbling and assist to Gonzalo opened the scoring. He struggled more during the second half, where few opportunities allowed him to perform. He remains in serious debt.”
Spain’s version of Goal, on the other hand, gave him an 8/10 rating and wrote: “He got a beautiful assist and was a real threat from the right wing.”
Sport were harsh and rated him 5/10. They said: “The only positive thing we can count on him was the assist for Gonzalo to make it 1-0. Otherwise, the Brazilian was slow to break through and seemed a bit plodding.”
Arsenal should be happy about what happened with Rodrygo in the Club World Cup
Rodrygo didn’t have his best game for Real Madrid against Al-Hilal.
Yes, the Brazilian’s assist for Garcia’s goal was fantastic, but apart from that, he struggled to hurt the Saudi Arabian side at the Club World Cup.
That has led to Real Madrid fans urging Rodrygo to leave their club, which is extremely harsh, but that could be excellent news for Arsenal.
The Gunners need Rodrygo to be willing to leave Real Madrid to have any chance of signing him this summer, and the Spanish club’s fans reacting the way they are could convince him to look elsewhere.
At Arsenal, Rodrygo will be more appreciated, and he will also be given opportunities to play in his preferred left-wing position.
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