Real Madrid have publicly expressed its disappointment in Brazilian forward Rodrygo following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, the former PSG star who joined the La Liga champions on a free transfer last month.
Rodrygo, who has been with Los Blancos for several seasons, has reportedly shown a change in behavior since Mbappe’s signing, which has not been well-received by the club. The Brazilian had been rumored to be considering his future at the club since the French international’s arrival.
Concerns about Rodrygo’s attitude have been raised after a series of incidents this season. Following Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Mallorca, Rodrygo took to his WhatsApp channel, where he posted a message that stirred controversy.
Rodrygo wrote, “Hi guys, yesterday the result was not what we wanted. In La Liga, every point makes the difference in the end. I’m happy with the goal and with the growth of the team. Last week they talked about the trio of Bellingham, Mbappe, and Vini, but they are going to have to add the R of Rodrygo to that acronym. We have a quartet of attackers, and the rest of the team. They all have their importance in the games and will show their value in the different competitions in which we participate. The week will be full of hard work until our next match at the Bernabeu.”
The message, which was later deleted, reportedly caused unrest among some supporters, who felt it was an attempt by Rodrygo to assert his place amid the high-profile arrival of Mbappe. Rodrygo’s camp later claimed the post was removed because it was “misinterpreted.”
However, reports from sources close to the club, including Forbes, suggest that Real Madrid is unhappy with Rodrygo’s recent conduct. Journalist Uria added fuel to the speculation, stating, “Rodrygo doesn’t have the desire to leave Madrid, but the people who handle Rodrygo do. And those people have to leave a door open because they know that it is a difficult year in sports. Next year he leaves Madrid. Call him what you want, but Rodrygo next year is not at Madrid.”
Despite the controversy, Rodrygo featured in Real Madrid’s disappointing season opener against Mallorca, where the team, despite its formidable attack including Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo, managed only a 1-1 draw. The situation surrounding Rodrygo remains tense, with his future at the club increasingly uncertain.