Real Madrid is preparing for its first match in the Club World Cup on Wednesday, with high hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time. Since his arrival, Xabi Alonso has been working diligently to ensure the team adapts to the new playing style he has introduced.
However, the coach has received a direct and firm message from one player regarding his role in the tournament. Rodrygo, the Brazilian forward, has made it clear that he expects to start the competition—or he will consider leaving the club this summer. His situation has drawn attention amid growing doubts about his future at the club and the specific demands he has made of the coaching staff.
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Rodrygo wants to remain at Real Madrid, but only if he is Alonso’s first-choice right winger, a position in which he was regularly featured under Carlo Ancelotti. He has clearly communicated his stance to the Basque manager to allow for a timely and appropriate decision.
Should Alonso decide not to start him in the Club World Cup, Rodrygo is expected to leave the club during the summer transfer window, having lost faith in his future under the new regime. The player is unwilling to settle for a place on the bench, believing he deserves a more prominent role.
If he chooses to depart, Rodrygo’s most likely destination is the English Premier League, where top clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City have shown strong interest. Reports suggest that Mikel Arteta has pushed hard to secure the player’s signature, though Rodrygo’s high salary demands could complicate any potential deal.
