Rodrygo Turns Vini's Future Upside Down, First on the Field and then in the Mixed Zone

One of the key figures at Real Madrid is Rodrygo Goes. The Brazilian has established himself on the left flank of the attack set up by Ancelotti in the absence of Vinícius Jr. Who is suspended in both LaLiga and the Champions League. 

Taking advantage of the suspension of his teammate and compatriot, Goes is showcasing all the quality he has in his soccer boots. And that the left wing position is his ideal role on the field. The data from recent games corroborate a long-held hypothesis within the club.

Goes has played a total of six games as a left winger this season. In those six games, he has recorded six goals and five assists, a tally that amounts to eleven goal contributions. And that far exceeds the data obtained in other positions during the rest of the current soccer season. 

Particularly dramatic are the statistics in games where he started as a central defender. That tactical setup doesn't benefit him at all, as demonstrated by the zero goal contributions he has achieved when playing as a '9'. His performance on the other flank, the right, offers eight goal contributions in 14 games: six goals and two assists.

He has it all very clear

In this context, he's a fairly consistent goal scorer when playing as a winger, but he connects better with his teammates on the left side. That is the position that, by default, Vinícius will always occupy before him. Rodrygo Goes has never established a rivalry with his compatriot, but the data on his performance and his words pose an unexpected debate for the coaching staff led by Carlo Ancelotti.

His reply about the 'Vinícius case' currently at Madrid is exemplary: "I don't know, I think it's a personal matter for Vinícius", recalls the player. He also makes it clear that "I see him very well, very focused on staying at Real Madrid. I think it hasn't crossed our minds that Vinícius might leave", states the club's '11'.

"From what we see every day, I think he's very focused here. I don't know if there's an offer, I don't know what's true", the carioca footballer confesses. Despite everything, Rodrygo Goes had to face another question about the big offer that Saudi Arabia might be preparing to sign his teammate and compatriot in six months.

The Brazilian footballer doesn't hesitate: "I can't give him any advice, just follow his heart. I don't know what's happening, and I'm only interested in the Vini of Madrid", reveals Rodrygo Goes.  "The only advice I can give him is to keep scoring goals and keep playing a lot with this jersey". Understands a footballer who is asserting himself in the recent matches played.