Rodrygo plays a crucial role in enhancing Real Madrid’s performance, yet he often goes underappreciated. We analyze his impact on a squad once again vying for La Liga and Champions League success.
In a Real Madrid squad brimming with galácticos, Rodrygo doesn’t quite fit the mold.
He isn’t Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, or Jude Bellingham—players who dominate headlines and, since Mbappé’s arrival last summer, have been collectively labeled ‘BMV’ by the Spanish press. These three superstars sell the most shirts, draw the biggest crowds, and score the decisive goals that define Madrid’s success.
But referring to the current attack as a “trio” overlooks the influence of the quietly brilliant Rodrygo. In reality, it’s a front four, and the omission of his name from the conversation is something that irks many—including the Brazilian himself.
Following a 1-1 draw at Mallorca in August, where he scored Madrid’s only goal, Rodrygo took to social media to voice his frustration.
“Last week, they talked about the trio of Bellingham, Mbappé, and Vini, but they’re going to have to add the ‘R’ of Rodrygo to that acronym,” he wrote. “We have a quartet of attackers, and the rest of the team. Everyone has their role and will prove their worth in the competitions we play.”
He later deleted the post, seemingly for the sake of squad unity—an act that, much like his performances on the pitch, reflected his constant efforts to make Madrid the best version of itself.
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The Underrated Star: Rodrygo’s Sacrifices Go Unnoticed
The belief that Rodrygo doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves is widespread, yet he remains the least celebrated member of Real Madrid’s attacking quartet. If one player from that frontline were to be replaced, most would point to him. He simply isn’t viewed as the same caliber of superstar—a fact underscored by his omission from the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees, despite playing a key role in Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League triumphs.
“I think I deserved it… but I’m not the one who decides these things,” he admitted.
Within the squad, however, his value is unquestioned. After Madrid’s dramatic Champions League victory over Manchester City, teammate Jude Bellingham told CBS how highly he rates Rodrygo.
“[He is] so underrated,” Bellingham said. “For me, he’s probably the most talented and most gifted player in the squad. The things he can do with the football—he’ll flick the ball up in ways that make you wonder, ‘How did he do that?’ He’s a pleasure to play with.”
“He’s also the one who sacrifices the most. His natural position is on the left, like Vinícius, but he puts in the work defensively on the right side, which isn’t his favorite. And he never complains.”
Bellingham’s words highlight two key reasons why Rodrygo isn’t lauded like his more high-profile teammates: his versatility and his selflessness. Those qualities, while invaluable to the team, don’t fit the mold of a typical galáctico. You wouldn’t see Kylian Mbappé, Zinedine Zidane, or Cristiano Ronaldo shifting out of position to accommodate others—even if it meant improving the team’s overall balance.
It’s understandable why some argue that if Madrid must limit the impact of one of their front four, it should be Rodrygo. After all, Mbappé, Vinícius, and Bellingham are three of the world’s best attackers—match-winners whose output should never be compromised.
Rodrygo’s Numbers Tell a Different Story
Rodrygo’s statistical output might seem inferior compared to his superstar teammates, but context matters. He plays out of position, operating on his natural side rather than as an inverted winger, which makes it harder to be a direct goal threat—cutting inside onto his weaker foot. Yet, as he demonstrated with a stunning left-footed strike in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Atlético Madrid, his so-called “weaker” foot is anything but weak.
What remains unclear is whether his goal tally would rise if he played on his preferred flank or if his numbers are simply a result of his role in the team. However, even if his output doesn’t quite match Mbappé or Vinícius, he is far from lagging behind.
Since making his first-team debut in September 2019 at just 18, Rodrygo has racked up 113 goal involvements across 169 starts and 87 substitute appearances for Real Madrid. In that period, only Karim Benzema (167) and Vinícius (159) have contributed more. Given that much of his early career was spent developing, his numbers become even more impressive.
Rodrygo averages a goal or assist every 136 minutes for Madrid—just shy of Vinícius (125.1 mins) and Bellingham (115.1 mins). Like his teammates, he also delivers on the biggest stages, scoring crucial goals, including his opener against Atlético and his decisive strikes against Manchester City in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals.
His latest goal against Atlético was his 25th in the Champions League for Madrid, making him the fourth-youngest player (24 years, 54 days) to reach that milestone for a single club. The only players ahead of him? Lionel Messi (Barcelona, 22 years, 286 days), Kylian Mbappé (PSG, 22 years, 352 days), and Raúl (Real Madrid, 23 years, 252 days). That’s elite company—and a testament to Rodrygo’s undeniable talent.
Rodrygo: The Unsung Hero of Real Madrid’s Attack
Despite his undeniable contributions, Rodrygo remains overshadowed at Real Madrid. With Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. occupying the left flank—arguably the two best left-sided attackers in the world—Madrid naturally favors that side. This is evident in La Liga, where 42.4% of their chances have come from the left, the highest rate in the league, compared to just 29.1% from the right. The numbers reflect this imbalance: Mbappé boasts 29 goals and five assists, Vinícius has 19 goals and 10 assists, while Rodrygo’s 14 goals and eight assists appear modest in comparison.
However, those stats don’t tell the full story of Rodrygo’s impact. With Madrid’s star duo initially struggling to coexist, his presence became even more vital. He stretches the pitch on the right, creating space for his teammates while maintaining his own attacking threat. In La Liga this season, only Lamine Yamal (24) and Vinícius (19) have followed a ball carry of at least five meters with a chance created more times than Rodrygo (18). His ability to link play and open up defenses has been crucial in Madrid’s pursuit of back-to-back league and Champions League titles.
Carlo Ancelotti has always valued him. Since returning to the club in 2021, only Federico Valverde (199) has made more appearances for Madrid than Rodrygo (197). The Brazilian was also one of only two players—alongside Valverde—to feature in all 13 games of Madrid’s triumphant Champions League campaign last season, starting 12 times.
While the arrival of Mbappé has strengthened Madrid’s attack, the team still faces challenges. Their defensive balance has come into question, with only two clean sheets in their last 11 matches. Some might argue that a more defensive-minded player should be introduced, but Rodrygo’s form has made him undroppable.
It’s time for the Brazilian to receive the recognition he deserves. As Jude Bellingham aptly put it in response to Rodrygo’s frustration over being overlooked in the “BMV” (Bellingham-Mbappé-Vinícius) moniker: “Only the fools forget the R.”
Read More: Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane Becomes First English Player to Score 10 Goals in a Single UCL Campaign
FAQs
Why doesn’t Rodrygo get the same recognition as Mbappé and Vinícius at Real Madrid?
Rodrygo often plays out of position on the right, sacrificing his preferred role to balance Madrid’s attack. His contributions are crucial, but he remains overshadowed by his high-profile teammates.
How does Rodrygo’s goal contribution compare to other Madrid attackers?
Since his first-team debut in 2019, Rodrygo has 113 goal involvements, behind only Benzema (167) and Vinícius (159). He averages a goal or assist every 136 minutes—just slightly below Vinícius (125.1) and Bellingham (115.1).
What did Jude Bellingham say about Rodrygo’s importance to Real Madrid?
Bellingham called Rodrygo “so underrated” and “the most gifted player in the squad,” praising his technical ability, sacrifice, and defensive contributions.
How does Rodrygo help Madrid tactically despite lower stats?
Rodrygo stretches the pitch on the right, creating space for Mbappé and Vinícius while maintaining his own attacking threat. He ranks among La Liga’s top players for progressive carries leading to chances.
Will Rodrygo remain a key player for Real Madrid despite Mbappé’s arrival?
Yes, his versatility, work rate, and attacking impact make him undroppable. Carlo Ancelotti values him highly, and his performances continue to prove his worth in Madrid’s attack.
