Rodrygo changes wings, changes fate

Rodrygo entered Vinicius' "territory" to find himself again.

When a player feels lost, his instinct always tells him to return to the place that once brought him happiness. For Rodrygo, that was the left wing - an area that has been associated with the name Vinicius Junior for many years. But at a turning point in his career, the Real Madrid striker wearing the number 11 shirt decided to step into that "private territory" to find the confidence he had lost.

A request from the Club World Cup

On the eve of the Club World Cup, Rodrygo took the initiative to meet Xabi Alonso to express his wishes: he wanted to be given a chance to revive after a turbulent season. The statistics of 14 goals and 11 assists sound impressive, but they cannot hide the fact - Rodrygo felt isolated, disengaged from the team and faded in important moments.

“I know the end of last season was not easy for him. But Rodrygo gave himself time to renew. Now I see he is full of desire,” Alonso shared when he first arrived in Madrid. That was also when the Spanish coach agreed to test his student in his favorite position on the left wing.

The change was made at the Club World Cup, after a 1-1 draw with Al Hilal - the only time Rodrygo started in the United States. Since then, he has hardly been deployed on the right wing. Alonso, in his efforts to build a new-look Real Madrid, decided to give Rodrygo a rare opportunity: direct competition on the flank that belonged to Vinicius.

Rodrygo was given a chance by Xabi Alonso in the match against Oviedo.

The La Liga match against Oviedo was a clear example. Alonso left Vinicius on the bench, bringing on Rodrygo and Mastantuono from the start. And the 24-year-old immediately transformed himself into the most dangerous striker of “Los Blancos”. He held the ball confidently, constantly turned around, finished and became the center of attention in the first half.

The statistics confirm a convincing performance: 47/50 accurate passes (94%), 4 shots, 5 ball recoveries and 3/6 successful challenges before leaving the field in the 63rd minute. It is not just the numbers, but also the answer to the doubts that surrounded him throughout last season.

Competition with Vinicius

Rodrygo has never been a noisy player. He quietly contributes with important goals and smart moves, but is rarely mentioned as an irreplaceable star. That silence, in the harsh environment of Real Madrid, sometimes becomes a disadvantage.

Now, as he bravely steps into Vinicius' familiar territory, Rodrygo is no longer looking for goals alone. He is looking for redemption, to recapture the image that once lit up the Bernabeu on fiery Champions League nights.

Rodrygo is determined to find himself again.

“In football, every decision is made for the team,” Alonso said after the match. And for that team, he needs a Rodrygo who is confident, full of life and ready to be reborn.

The rivalry between the two Brazilians may continue. But with his current form and spirit, Rodrygo has shown that he will not back down easily. On that left wing, there is not only Vinicius, but also a Rodrygo who is eager to do it again, to prove that he is worthy of the white shirt that once took him to the top.

The Bernabeu have seen Rodrygo explode on some nights, and now they are waiting again – to see him find himself, on a journey of redemption and rebirth under the hands of Xabi Alonso.

Source: https://znews.vn/rodrygo-doi-canh-doi-so-phan-post1580293.html