Real Madrid News
Rodrygo talks Vinicius, Benzema, Ancelotti, Barcelona, Liverpool, Casemiro and Marcelo
As the season has gone on, a certain Rodrygo has gone to become a more important player at Real Madrid. The Brazilian was playing multiple fiddles below Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema, and even Federico Valverde, but has taken a huge step forward since last season.
This season, in the league, Rodrygo has four goals and five assists in just 18 appearances, out of which, 12 have been starts. He has also been on target thrice in the Champions League.
Ahead of Madrid’s game against Elche on 15th, the youngster was in conversation with GOAL, the quotes for which have been relayed by Madrid Universal.
On the Club World Cup: “I think when we are there (South America), it is the most important competition, the one that everyone wants to play, the one that everyone wants to win. You don’t live that so much here, but it is very important. We treat the game very seriously, we play very well, we have given everything in the game, because we didn’t want to lose. Then, to celebrate I think we celebrate it as much as if we were in America.”
On signing for Real Madrid: “When my father gave me the news, I had two shirts: one from Barcelona, and one from Real Madrid. I had to choose. It was very easy for me to choose. But everything was agreed with Barcelona, it was a surprise for me, I did not expect Madrid to come. It was a scare but then one of the happiest moments of my life.”
On Florentino Perez: “I am very happy with him. He is very fond of me, and I am fond of him. The first time we talked was when I came here to know everything. Always very affectionate with me, it was a very special meeting.”
On the Copa del Rey game vs Barça: “It is a title that we have not won in recent years, whether against Barcelona or any other team. We are very motivated and we really want to win it and of course, El Clasico is always very special, it is always special, it is always very difficult to play against Barcelona.
On La Liga: “It’s always possible, we have to believe until the end. I think that, in my first season, we were also far behind Atletico and then we came back. It’s very difficult but we are going to try to go back and win all the remaining games. Let’s see what happens.”
On his position: “In the 4-2-3-1, behind Karim, it’s the position I like the most and everyone knows this. I always talk to the coach. Of course, I can play in all positions, but that’s where I feel most comfortable when it comes to playing. I played a very good game against Elche there.”
On Ancelotti: “My relationship with Ancelotti is very good, it always helps me a lot, he gives me a lot of instructions.”
On Casemiro: “He was very necessary for us, because he always helped us a lot, both on the pitch and off it. We are young, and we need many things, and he, for leading us for a long time. Just like Marcelo, the two of them always helped us and we miss them both.”
On Madrid missing penalties: “I’m always here to take responsibility. As in the World Cup. When they asked who wants to shoot, I was there, and I will always be there. I will never avoid responsibilities.”
On the Liverpool clash: “The game there is going to be very difficult, we already know this. Playing against Liverpool is always difficult whether with or without fans, but at Anfield even more. We are ready.”
On leaving Madrid: “No, I would be loyal to Real Madrid.”
On the next Madrid player to win the Ballon d’Or: “Karim again, and then Rodrygo (laughs).”
On Vinicius: “Vini is very calm, he is always smiling as you can see. On this subject, it does bother us a little, not only Vinicius, everyone in there. But, we feel that we have nothing more to do, we have no more strength. We always talk and nothing changes.”
The current edition of the Real Madrid squad is full of young talents, who have shown remarkable potential in recent years.
Arda Guler is among the young players looking to make a mark in European football in the years to come.
The young Turk joined Real Madrid earlier this summer, rejecting many other European giants in the process.
Toni Kroos mentoring Guler at Real Madrid
Guler has not enjoyed the best of starts to his life at Santiago Bernabeu, as he is spending a brief time on the sidelines due to an injury.
However, Guler has not stopped working on his characteristics, as he looks to kickstart his Real Madrid career on a positive note.
To that end, the former Fenerbahce starlet is receiving some key support from one of Real Madrid’s midfield pillars in the form of Toni Kroos.
This is according to MARCA, which suggests that the German international is mentoring Guler in his early days at Santiago Bernabeu.
Kroos: huge ‘sponsor’ of Guler
The report highlights how Toni Kroos is a huge admirer of Arda Guler. The German had even heaped praise on the youngster from Turkey when he joined the club earlier in the summer.
Guler, therefore, is closely training with Kroos, whose years of experience, composure, and knowledge of football, could help the youngster grow at Santiago Bernabeu.
This fits in well with Carlo Ancelotti’s vision at Real Madrid, as the Italian boss wants youngsters to have room to grow, especially with guidance from some of the older guards in the team.
It is one of the key reasons Real Madrid wanted to stick to Kroos and Luka Modric, despite bringing in Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham in the summer.
Guler, therefore, has the stage set for him to start his Real Madrid career on a strong note. After impressing in training, the next step for the youngster is to make a promising debut, which is just around the corner.
