'Rodrygo is the future of Real Madrid'

AS spoke to Elano, who promoted Rodrygo to the Santos senior squad, about the 19-year-old forward's impressive early impact at the Bernabéu.

One man who has taken a particular interest in Rodrygo Goes' start to life at Real Madrid is Elano, who as interim Santos coach took the decision to promote the 19-year-old to the Brazilian club's senior squad in early 2017.

Having seen Rodrygo mark his second straight Madrid start by scoring in Wednesday's 5-0 win over Leganés, the former Manchester City player sat down with AS to offer his thoughts on the impact that the young forward has had at the Bernabéu.

He's playing the type of stuff that is sure to be keeping Madrid and their fans happy. I like the way [Madrid coach Zinedine] Zidane is looking after him, giving him an important role but, at the same time, refusing to rush things and keeping in mind that he's still just a young lad. If things keep on going as they have up to now, he's in a great position to carry on growing as a player.

You'll have to wait and see, but those of us who knew him at Santos know that he always measures up and, though he's a shy lad, he's a different proposition altogether when he crosses that white line.

Without doubt. He's the future of Real Madrid. Right now it's too soon to be thinking about that, though; he just has to take it step by step. But he's a leader.

As long as Real Madrid are happy with him... I think Zidane and his team-mates all are - very happy indeed.

They're really happy to see him doing well, but they know he needs to keep his feet on the ground. Football's very difficult if you don't keep your feet on the ground. He's settled in really well at Madrid, though.

I had followed his progress in the youth academy for two years, and he was a young player with a lot of personality who was ready to make the step-up to the seniors. Time has borne out those good initial impressions; he's still doing all the good things he did then.