Rodrygo Almost Archived Barcelona Deal and Neymar’s No. 10 Moment: A Real Madrid Star’s Confessional
7 October 2025
Rodrygo Goes, Real Madrid’s rising star, reveals behind-the-scenes details of his near-move to Barcelona, the traditional rival of the Merengues, and the curious chapter of almost wearing Neymar’s iconic number on the Brazil jersey.
Near Barcelona, Big dreams, and the Neymar No. 10
He is currently with Brazil, training alongside Vinícius Júnior and Éder Militao after being called up by Carlo Ancelotti for friendlies this month against Korea and Japan. In an interview with AS, he spoke about his appreciation for Ancelotti, describing him as a coach he will remain grateful to for life.
At the start, Rodrygo expressed happiness about returning to the national team after several months away, saying, “The big goal with the national team this season is the World Cup. I haven’t spoken much with Ancelotti lately because I wasn’t among the latest call-ups, but it is wonderful to be back working with him.”
In Rodrygo’s words, Ancelotti’s approach has always been to avoid anything that could upset the club he’s coaching. He explained, “After the Brazilian federation and Madrid reached an agreement, he showed great joy. He is excited for this challenge, and so are we.”
When asked about the coach’s aims with the Seleção, Rodrygo said, “Ancelotti wants to reconnect with the fans, loves our Brazilian style, and wants to bring joy back when we’re on the pitch. I’m confident things will go well.”
Regarding wearing the famous No. 10 shirt, he added, “It’s a heavy number with big responsibility. I’m still at the start; this shirt still belongs to Neymar. I wear it mainly because of his injuries, but regardless of the number, I’m always ready to give Brazil my best.”
On Brazil’s chances to win the 2026 World Cup in the United States, he replied with assurance: “When you play for Brazil, you always dream of winning. We are five-time world champions with top stars. We just need more harmony, and with Ancelotti we’ll be ready to compete for the title.”
Childhood memories and a lifelong Madrid dream
Rodrygo then recalled childhood moments with Real Madrid, revealing that he kept a tiny shirt of the club since he was six. “My father gave me the shirt after returning from a trip to Germany, and since that moment I felt linked to the club, its players, and its trophies, especially with the presence of many Brazilians and then Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival.”
He surprised listeners by admitting, “Yes, I was about to sign with Barcelona; everything was ready, but my father told me Madrid had called, and I had to choose. I didn’t hesitate for a moment, it had been my dream since childhood, and here I am today.”
He smiled as he continued, “I was performing well at Santos, Barça came with an offer, a great club I respect, but Real Madrid was my lifelong dream. I couldn’t wait any longer, and we decided at the right moment.”
From futsal to La Liga: Rodrygo’s distinctive path
On his playing style, Rodrygo explained that futsal taught him how to dribble in tight spaces. In Madrid we face many teams that defend in compact blocks, and dribbling and short passes are the answer—skills he honed in the futsal courts.
He recounted his Madrid journey, arriving in 2018 but staying one more year with Santos before joining the first team in 2019. He started with Castilla and scored a splendid goal in his debut, only to be sent off for celebrating, a lesson learned that helped him adapt to life at the club before rising to the first team.
Regarding his La Liga debut, he remembered that Zidane told him he would play at the Bernabéu against Osasuna, and after 91 seconds he scored his first goal. It was a dream realized in front of the fans.
He also pointed to a standout moment in the Champions League: in his first encounter with Galatasaray, he netted a hat-trick with his right foot, left foot, and head, a moment that cemented his growing relationship with the competition and the club.”
Who is Rodrygo Goes
Rodrygo was born in 2001 in Osasco, Brazil, and began his career at the renowned Santos academy that produced stars like Pelé and Neymar. His speed and technical flair drew attention early, and he played his first senior match at 16 in 2017, becoming one of Brazil’s rising talents with impactful goals in domestic and continental competitions.
In the summer of 2018, Real Madrid announced his transfer for roughly 45 million euros, though he remained in Santos until 2019 before officially moving to the Spanish giants. He quickly shone with Real Madrid’s reserve team, Castilla, then drew attention by scoring after 91 seconds in his La Liga bow vs Osasuna and followed with a perfect trio in the Champions League against Galatasaray. Since then, he has been one of the faces of a new generation for both Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team.
Rodrygo Goes, 24 years old, continues to blend speed, skill, and an infectious enthusiasm that keeps fans believing in bright days for club and country. And if you’re wondering about the shirt: yes, it’s still heavy—so heavy that you might need a forklift to lift it; but hey, fashion is pain, and football loves a good drama.”
