Rodrygo’s Bold Move: Ancelotti’s Faith, Alonso’s Frustration, Brazil’s Rousing Win

Overview

Brazil routed South Korea 5-0 in a recent friendly, with Rodrygo Góes delivering a brace and reaffirming his value under Carlo Ancelotti. In the post‑match quotes relayed by Fabrizio Romano, the Real Madrid forward praised Ancelotti’s understanding of his abilities and hinted, almost playfully, that his best position is a freedom‑rich role behind the striker. The match also underscored the dynamic between Rodrygo, Ancelotti, and his Madrid teammate Xabi Alonso, who remains his current club coach but is seen by Rodrygo as less in tune with his strengths.

Amid talk that Ancelotti has taken charge of Brazil with a one‑year contract extending toward the 2026 World Cup, Rodrygo’s usage in the formation—playing behind Matheus Cunha with Estevão and Vinícius Júnior on the flanks—illustrates a tactical blueprint that emphasizes rapid movement and fluid front‑line rotations.

Alonso vs. Ancelotti: A Subtle Showdown

Rodrygo’s remarks point to a broader theme: his comfort comes with Ancelotti’s system, where he feels trusted in a role that complements his strengths. He suggested that Ancelotti’s confidence in him matches or exceeds that of any other coach he’s worked with, a contrast with his ongoing club situation where his minutes under Alonso have been limited. The Brazilian is quick to acknowledge that the coach who truly “knows his capabilities” remains Ancelotti, even as he continues to navigate a challenging minutes balance at Real Madrid.

Numbers, Minutes, and a Career Trajectory

Under Alonso at Real Madrid, Rodrygo has appeared in 11 league matches with three assists and no goals, totaling 313 minutes on the pitch. In contrast, his collaboration with Ancelotti has produced a markedly different profile: a lengthy Madrid tenure that includes 208 Real Madrid appearances, contributing 59 goals and 41 assists across roughly 13,385 minutes. Those numbers illustrate the impact of a coaching style that grants space and responsibility to an attacking player with Rodrygo’s versatility.

Historically, Ancelotti’s influence has contrasted with his time under Zidane, Raul, and other figures at Castilla. Rodrygo’s Madrid story began in earnest with a standout debut era in the Castilla setup under Raul, before stepping into top‑flight duties. Across his Real Madrid first‑team career, he has accumulated 278 appearances with 68 goals and 53 assists, underscoring a sustained level of influence when given the platform and freedom to express himself.

From Santos to Real Madrid: The Making of a Star

Rodrygo’s journey began with Santos, a club famous for producing talents like Pelé and Neymar. His prodigious pace and dribbling skills drew attention early; he played his first game for Santos’ first team at 16 in 2017 and soon became a focal point in domestic and continental competitions. In the summer of 2018, Real Madrid announced his signing for around €45 million, with the move finalized in mid‑2019 after he had completed his time with Santos. His early years at Real Madrid saw him flourish at the Castilla level and then explode onto the European scene, including a rapid‑fire goal just 91 seconds into his La Liga debut against Osasuna and a memorable European display that some called a “perfect hat‑trick” moment against Galatasaray in the Champions League.

These milestones foreshadowed a profile of Rodrygo as a player who thrives when given space, a theme now echoed in his praise for Ancelotti and his readiness to contribute across multiple attacking positions if granted the confidence and minutes to do so.

In summary, Rodrygo’s current arc shows a player whose best performances come when a coach trusts him to roam and create—an attribute he attributes most to Ancelotti, even as he continues to navigate the rotation and minutes at Real Madrid under Alonso.

In his international career, Rodrygo began with Brazil at the Under‑15 level and progressed to the senior squad in 2019. He has accumulated dozens of caps and goals, including a World Cup‑level contribution in 2022. His early promise has evolved into a more mature, versatile toolkit that Ancelotti is keen to maximize as Brazil eyes the journey toward 2026.

Bottom line: Rodrygo’s development is a portrait of how coaching philosophy can unlock a talent’s best attributes. With Ancelotti, he’s been granted the canvas; with Alonso, the frame has sometimes felt tighter—but the player’s resilience promises more fireworks in the seasons ahead.