It's over, Rodrygo.

Rodrygo Goes is at risk of being kicked out of Real Madrid.

The match against Pachuca is not just another match at the Club World Cup 2025™, but also a seemingly unspoken statement from coach Xabi Alonso. Rodrygo is no longer part of the priority plan.

Sad days

The Brazilian was on the roster, but wasn’t even asked to warm up. In a game that Real Madrid would soon decide, Alonso gave the final minutes to youngster Victor Munoz – a player who had never been a first-team regular. It was an iconic image. An academy product was chosen over a multi-million-euro star who was once expected to be the “new Neymar”.

That was all the more remarkable when, just a few days ago, Rodrygo was in the starting lineup for Alonso’s debut against Al Hilal – a match in which he assisted Gonzalo. But like a flash of lightning, hope flashed and then vanished. Rodrygo failed to take advantage of the opportunity, and had to withdraw from the game without leaving a mark.

The harsh reality is that over the past three months, Rodrygo has only played 65 minutes - a very small number for a player who was once an irreplaceable factor in the Champions League campaigns. Since the beginning of February, he has scored only 1 goal and had 4 assists in nearly 1,500 minutes of playing time - a worryingly lackluster performance.

Coach Xabi Alonso seems to no longer need Rodrygo Goes.

Meanwhile, young talent Gonzalo, in just 197 minutes, had 2 goals and 2 assists. Football is not only a story of talent - but also efficiency, timing, and uncompromising competition. And at the moment, Rodrygo is at a disadvantage in all of those aspects.

There is no denying that Alonso tries to give him a chance. He himself once declared, “Rodrygo is an excellent player, we will need him.” But words are not enough to keep a starting spot - especially in a fierce group like Real Madrid.

With Arda Guler shining, Brahim Diaz playing intelligently and systematically, and Kylian Mbappe set to return, Rodrygo is being pushed back from the spotlight. And don't forget Mastantuono - an 18-year-old rookie with a tendency to play on the right - will continue to put pressure on his preferred position.

Who still believes Rodrygo Goes?

Rodrygo’s biggest challenge right now is not technique, fitness or experience – it’s a loss of confidence. From Carlo Ancelotti – who mercilessly took him off in the Copa del Rey final – to Xabi Alonso, both have expressed doubts about his form and his impact on the game.

It is impossible to use injury as an excuse when the player himself has been vague about his recovery status, only posting a meaningful line on social media: "I will be back soon. Don't make up stories."

Rodrygo Goes' future at Real Madrid is in jeopardy.

And then Rodrygo returned - not as a sharp spear, but as a fading shadow on the bench. Against Pachuca, Real changed the entire midfield, the entire attack, even bringing a central defender on to get the feel of the game.

But Rodrygo was not. There was no sign that he was still part of any of Alonso's tactical calculations.

The question is, if Rodrygo fails to secure a place this summer, what will his future hold? Real Madrid need to sell players to balance the books after a series of blockbuster deals, and Rodrygo - a name with appeal and market value - is of course the top candidate.

The Premier League is waiting, and many teams are willing to spend big to own a "number 11" who used to be a terror on Champions League nights.

Rodrygo hasn’t lost everything. But to stay at the Bernabeu – and more importantly, to really get a chance – he needs to do more than he has shown. Otherwise, a summer departure is inevitable.

Rodrygo is “floating in the air” – not because he is flying, but because he has no place. And at Real Madrid, that means freefall.

Real Madrid won the first match at the FIFA Club World Cup. In the early morning of June 23, Real defeated Pachuca 3-1 in the second match, Group F of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.

Source: https://znews.vn/het-roi-rodrygo-post1563100.html