Rodrygo Goes is now one of the torchbearers of Real Madrid’s next generation. The youngster even got off to aphenomenal start to the 2023-24 campaignat the weekєɴԀ, scoring inLos Blancos’2-0 win over Athletic Club.
However, the prodigy might not have even been aReal Madridplayer had fate played its cards a tad bit differently.
Rodrygo could have єɴԀed up at Barcelona
The Brazilian recently opened up toGE Globoabout how his fairytale move toReal Madridunfolded. He reiterated that he was inches away from signing for Barcelona and thatLos Blancosentered the race in the final minute.
“Practically everything was done with Barcelona, we just needed to sign. I asked my dad: ‘Is there nothing from Real Madrid?’ There was nothing. I asked to wait for the weekєɴԀ because we had a game. I said ‘I’m going to tear it up andReal Madridwill see me.'”
“My father got mad at me. ‘Are you kidding me? We have an offer from Barcelona. You’re going to play with Messi and you want me to wait?'”
“I went to the game, I scored 3 goals and gave an assist. During the game,Real Madridcalled my father,”the young sensation added on his long wait for an offer from Madrid.
Rodrygo then ɾєⱱєɑłєԀ that when he was faced with both options, his decision was a no-brainer.
“The next day, my father left without saying anything. He came back later, went straight into my room, and had aReal Madridand a Barcelona shirt. He threw them to me and said: ‘Choose.’ I didn’t even think about it, it wasReal Madrid.”
TheSelecaostar went on to talk aboutReal Madridpresident Florentino Perez and ɾєⱱєɑłєԀ that he was an extremely down-to-earth individual.
“Florentino has a lot of respect for us, you can see it in the way he speaks.He was one of those that most surprised me with all the power he has and the way he treats everyone.Always attentive and kind to everyone.He’s not all that he is for no ɾєɑȿօɴ.”
Speaking on the constant media attention that came with being aReal Madridplayer, Rodrygo said,
“There’s a lot of pressure from the press on us. I don’t know how to explain it. I feel the journalists who supportReal Madridare very supportive, but those who don’t support us are always lying and getting in the way.”
He then spoke about the polarisation among football fɑɴȿ overReal Madridand how the club is perceived by supporters of the game across the globe.
“Then all of Spain and Europe unite againstReal Madrid. We have our supporters but, for those who don’t support us, it’s not just any club. It’s hated.”
