Rodrygo: “I was all set to join Barça, but joined Real Madrid as they called”

Rodrygo is back with the Brazil squad - along with Vinicius and Militão, he is one of three Real Madrid stars called up by Carlo Ancelotti for this month’s friendlies against South Korea and Japan.

AS’ Tomás Roncero caught up with him to talk about how everything is going, both at club and international level.

It’s great to see you again in person—though this time, you’re suiting up for Brazil. You’re back with the national team after a few months away, and with the World Cup just around the corner, I imagine your excitement is building. Plus, Carlo Ancelotti is now your coach again. Have you two kept in touch?

Great to be with you again, Tomás. The big challenge for my national team this season is the World Cup. We haven’t spoken much recently since I missed the last few call-ups, but now we’re back together and it’s a pleasure to work with him again.

I know that toward the end of his time at Real Madrid, you and the other Brazilians used to talk with him at Valdebebas. Carlo originally planned to retire after leaving Madrid, but as he’s said privately: “Brazil is the Real Madrid of national teams.” Did he share that excitement with you?

We talked, but he always made it clear that as long as he was coaching Madrid, he wouldn’t do anything that might upset the club. Once the CBF, Madrid, and Carlo reached an agreement, he shared his joy with us. He’s genuinely excited about this challenge—and so are we.

Carlo won everything in Europe, but Brazil has had a rough decade—lots of disappointments, failed attempts to revive the ‘Seleção.’ Do you think Carletto has the energy and vision to bring Brazil back to the top?

Absolutely. His goal is to reconnect with the fans. He’s told us many times that he’s coached plenty of Brazilian players over the years and loves working with our style. He wants to bring joy back to the torcida—to make people smile when they watch us play. I’m confident things will go well.

You’re wearing Brazil’s iconic No. 10 jersey—Pelé, Neymar… That’s a lot of weight. Do you feel the pressure?

It’s a big responsibility, no doubt. I’m just getting started. I always say this jersey still belongs to Neymar—I’ve worn it because of his injuries. But whether I’m wearing the 10 or any other number, I’m ready to give my best for Brazil.

Let’s be honest. Do you think this Brazil squad can win the World Cup in the United States., like the legendary 1994 team did? Or is it more about building slowly?

When you play for Brazil, you always dream big. We’ve earned respect from our rivals. We’re five-time champions, even if recent years haven’t gone our way. We’ve got world-class talent playing in top clubs. We’re close—just need to sync up a bit more. With Carlo leading us, I believe we’ll be ready to compete for the title.

Let’s switch gears and talk about Real Madrid—your Madrid. I’ve heard you keep a child-sized Madrid jersey at your home in Spain. You were just six when you started wearing it. What’s the story?

My dad gave it to me after a trip to Germany with his team. When he got back, he handed me the jersey, and from that moment, I connected with the club—the players, the trophies. There were so many Brazilians in the squad, and then Cristiano came along. I watched every game just to see him play. In Brazil, I support Santos, but Madrid was always my dream once I set my sights on Europe.

But I’ve heard you nearly signed with Barça. Is that true?

It’s true. Everything was set with Barça. But then my dad told me Madrid had called and that I had to choose. For me, it was easy. I knew what I wanted. It was my dream. I didn’t hesitate. And here I am.

If your dad hadn’t told you, you’d be wearing Barça colors right now!

(Laughs) I was playing well at Santos, and Barça came for me. I’ve always said it’s a great club and I respect it. But Madrid was my dream. The decision was easy. I couldn’t wait any longer, and when the moment came, we did it right.

Football experts say dribbling is a lost art in today’s game—too much physicality, too much tactical discipline. But you can dribble in a phone booth. Did starting with futsal help?

Definitely. You can see it in my game. I loved playing on the hardwood. At Madrid, we often face teams with low blocks, and when space is tight, dribbling or short passes are the best solutions. That’s futsal. My style is built for those moments—tight spaces, defenders packed around the box. Every coach I’ve worked with asks me to use that skill against compact defenses. It’s the only way to break them down. Transition play alone isn’t enough. I love helping with what I bring.

Madrid signed you in 2018, but you stayed at Santos for a year before joining the club at 18 in 2019. You debuted with Castilla first. Did that bother you?

Not at all. I remember my first game at Valdebebas with Castilla—I scored a great goal and got sent off for the celebration! (Smiles) I knew breaking into the first team right away would be tough. Starting with Castilla helped me get in shape and understand the club’s foundation. It was the right move.

Then came your La Liga debut—and a dream moment. You scored just 91 seconds after stepping onto the pitch against Osasuna. The Bernabéu pressure didn’t faze you, and that’s when your love story with Madrid fans began.

That was unforgettable. Zidane called me over and said I’d play my first game at the Bernabéu. I never imagined it would happen so soon. I’d dreamed of it my whole life, but when it actually happens, the nerves hit hard. Casemiro gave me the pass, I controlled it, dribbled, and scored. It was a perfect debut.

Let’s talk about your Champions League debut—against Galatasaray at the Bernabéu. You scored a perfect hat-trick: right foot, left foot, and header. Only Raúl was younger when he did it. That’s when your love affair with the Champions League began…

That’s true. I felt a special connection with the competition. I’ve always loved it. Scoring a perfect hat-trick in front of our fans—that was unreal.

Tell me about Zidane. What’s it like having a football legend as your coach? You were pretty young during his prime.

He’s a normal guy, but I was starstruck. I’d look at him and think, “Zidane is talking to me…” At 18, everything was new and overwhelming. It took time to adjust and realize he was just my coach. He talked to me a lot, helped me, and I really enjoyed working with him.

Then came another legend—Carlo Ancelotti. You grew under him, and together you won the 14th Champions League title, one that may never be repeated. Tell me about those magical nights at the Bernabéu. Some of them felt supernatural—and you played a huge role.

Wow… I remember losing to Sheriff in the group stage at the Bernabéu. That shook our confidence. But then the madness began. The PSG tie was key. We played terribly in Paris and lost 1–0—Kylian scored late. It felt like we were out. The flight home was tense. But during the week, belief started to build. The vibe in training improved. We clung to the Bernabéu and believed. Even when Kylian scored again, we didn’t give up. Then Karim’s hat-trick turned everything around.

In the quarterfinals against Chelsea, you saved the day...

Chelsea was up 3–0 and dominating. I honestly didn’t think we could come back. Carletto called me in the second half and told me to chase the miracle. Then Modric gave me that magical pass—I don’t know how he saw me. I hit it clean, and it was a beauty. Another special night.

And then came another epic comeback against Guardiola’s City…

That was the toughest. The best day of my life. And for many Madrid fans too—they still message me to thank me for those two goals in two minutes. It was insane.

You scored near the 90th minute, and then the stadium announcer gave you a boost…

Yeah. With the score at 1–1, the announcer said there were six minutes of stoppage time. It felt like a goal. The Bernabéu went wild. That shook City. I thought, “I can score again.” And I did—with a header. I almost got a third before extra time, but Ederson stopped it. That would’ve been the greatest hat-trick ever. I told my dad the night before I’d score three. I had it in my head. It would’ve been total madness.

On the 2–1 goal, you headed it clean even though Marco Asensio flicked it. How did that not throw you off?

I was so locked in on the ball that Asensio’s touch didn’t affect me. But I do think his flick was key—otherwise the City defender might’ve cleared it. I was focused on scoring and forcing extra time. I practice those headers a lot in training—and I score plenty.

And then came the 14th in Paris, and later the 15th after the incredible penalties at the Etihad and Joselu’s two miraculous goals against Bayern, before the final at Wembley. Define for me what the Bernabéu has on those magical Champions League nights that others stadiums don’t. Here we say all hell’s breaking loose and no one can stop it.

I still ask myself that, and I don’t have an answer. You can’t explain it. Only those of us on the field and the fans in the stands can feel it. There are no words to describe what happens at the Bernabéu on those nights. We always say, ‘Play until the final whistle. Nothing is impossible.’ That belief is the key. And then, the magic happens—magic that only exists at the Bernabéu.

You’re not just a European success. In the 2023 Copa de la Cartuja final, you were the hero with the life-saving brace against Osasuna. It was a total vindication of your position in the team after several years.

That night, I felt important. When your goals win a title for the team, it’s an incredible feeling.

“I love playing with Mbappé; he’s a phenomenon”

And then last season arrived. After a magical year with five titles, 2025 was a season to forget. Injuries, elimination against Arsenal, Barça’s thrashings... A poor record. You were doing well until March and, in fact, scored a stunning goal against Atleti at the Bernabéu in the Champions League. But from then on, you clearly slumped, until you didn’t even look like yourself anymore. Sometimes we forget that behind a footballer, there’s a person. You didn’t look your best. I remember your first half in the Copa del Rey final against Barça in Seville. I wondered: “What’s wrong with ‘Rodry’?” It wasn’t you. What happened during that time, which fortunately has now passed?

I went through a really tough time personally,” he reveals. “I stopped talking to people. No one knew what I was going through. I wasn’t okay—physically or mentally. It was hard. But God, my family, and Coach Ancelotti helped me through it.

He told me, ‘You’re not ready to play right now. Just rest.’ I kept asking to play, but he knew I needed to heal as a person first. That meant everything to me. Carlo, his son Davide, the staff, and my family—they all helped me. Now I’m okay. I’m happy, motivated, and ready to have a great season.

In life, it’s good to accept that sometimes you have to suffer to appreciate what you have when everything is going well. You can see from your smile that you feel liberated now, eager to fully enjoy football again...

It’s true that I’m a completely different person now. I’m coming out with a different mindset, different enthusiasm, and more maturity. I feel great, and I’m sure this season will be better for everyone, for the team, and for me.

Let’s talk about what happened this summer. Many assumed that you were going to be transferred. Fans were asking which club you might join. But you never opened the door to leaving. You wanted to stay. And you stayed. You have a contract until 2028...

Every summer it’s the same—people say I’m leaving. Sure, there are offers. But I’ve always told the club I want to keep winning here. I’ve won two Champions Leagues already, but I want more. As long as Madrid wants me, I’ll be here. If they ever say, ‘Rodry, find another team,’ I’ll understand. But that hasn’t happened. They’ve always supported me—even during my lowest moments.

You’re 24 now. Do you know who came to Real Madrid at that age and went on to have an unrepeatable career? Cristiano Ronaldo.

It’s the perfect age to keep growing. I’ve already won 13 titles, which is crazy. At Madrid, the pressure is constant—you have to win. That pushes you to improve every day. I like that because it makes you always grow and not stagnate. And so you only think about improving, but what we’ve achieved all these years isn’t normal. It’s Madrid. We have to win again.

This season, you’ve been making the most of the playing time that the coach has given you - on the left wing, your natural position. How did you convince Xabi to move you over back to the position where you best develop your talent and your game?

When the manager arrived, he called me in to talk and said, “I know you like playing on the left, but I’m going to need you in other positions too.” I told him, “Okay, I’m here to help the team.” Everyone knows I prefer to play on the left and that I’m much better on that wing, but I’m always available to the team to play on the right or as a number nine, and I told him so. The truth is, he’s only putting me on the left, and I like the level of minutes I’m getting. I’m doing well, although, logically, I want to play more. I’m in a process of evolution, and I’m getting better all the time, and I feel happy. I’m performing better all the time.

You have to respect the coach’s decisions. If you’re in the starting lineup, you have to give 100%, but if you’re a substitute, it’s the same. That’s how I think. If I come on for 20 minutes, I give my all in that time. That’s good for my image and for the team. I try to make the most of every minute I play in this shirt.

Soon have the Clásico at the Bernabéu. Last year, the team suffered a 4-0 defeat to Barça. Is there a chance for revenge for that match? The fans are worried because the team hasn’t been up to scratch against their big rivals for a long time.

It’s best to forget about last season. We know we weren’t up to scratch, especially in the Clásicos. We weren’t comfortable against them. It’s true that last year it was the other way around, and we won all four Clásicos, although we have to admit they’re better now and have a better team, with much more confidence. But we also have a great team. It’s going to be a tough game, but we’re playing at the Bernabéu in front of our fans, and we have to show what we’re capable of, plan everything well to beat them no matter what. We’re at home.

Can you imagine beating Barça on the 26th with a goal of your own?

Whenever someone signs for Madrid, they think about winning the Champions League and scoring a decisive goal against Barça. I hope so.

We can all agree that what happened in the derby at the Metropolitano cannot happen again.

We’re all in agreement. It can’t happen again, and it certainly won’t. It was a terrible day for us, but it won’t happen again. We lost 5-2, I’m no fool, we can’t say anything.

Mbappé has been exceptional so far this season. He’s starting to resemble Cristiano Ronaldo. Is he as good as he seems?

Yes, the truth is that we pair up very well, and he’s really good. I love playing with him. He has incredible speed. He’s getting faster every day and finishing better. He’s a football phenomenon. It’s a pleasure to have him on our team.

Apart from the Champions League, do you think he has a realistic chance of winning the Ballon d’Or in 2026?

Of course he can if he keeps this up, and scores so many goals. And titles should be important. You have to understand this criterion because sometimes they apply it and sometimes they don’t.

Last year, Vini deserved it; this year, it seemed like it was going to be taken away from Dembélé. It’s not entirely clear which criterion weighs most heavily.

Well, it’s hard to talk about this award, and I don’t really enjoy doing so either. If it’s for the person who had the best season, it’s certainly fair this year. I would have voted for Dembélé too.

Tell me about your “father.” I’m not talking about Eric, who is a great father by the way. I’m referring to Luka Modric, whom you called that because of the respect and connection you shared on and off the pitch. He’s 40 years old, but there he is, triumphing at Milan.

Luka’s mentality is insane. These years with him were incredible for me, learning from him and enjoying a player of his quality. I always enjoyed watching him play, but when I was around him and shared a locker room with him, he impressed me even more. He’s really good. He does everything well. He’s 40 years old and still playing at a high level, it’s truly incredible.

That’s it, my friend. You’re 24, and you’ve probably got renewed dreams and challenges in mind. What are your hopes for 2026?

I want to win it all again with Madrid. Winning another Champions League title would be amazing. And, of course, I dream of winning the World Cup with Brazil.