Real Madrid ace Rodrygo has revealed that he was once on the brink of joining arch-rivals Barcelona before his transfer to the Spanish capital materialized.
The Brazilian winger joined Los Blancos from Santos in 2019 for a reported €40 million (roughly £35m) and has since gone on to make over 200 appearances for the club, winning multiple domestic and European titles.
But in a recent interview with Diario AS, the 24-year-old admitted that his career could have taken a very different path, disclosing that a deal with Barcelona had already been agreed before Madrid came calling.
Rodrygo had Barca deal in place
“Before signing for Real Madrid, everything was already done and I had signed for Barca,” he said.
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“It’s true. But then my father told me Real Madrid had called us, and I had to make a choice.
“For me, it was very easy. I knew what I wanted and what my dream was. I didn’t even hesitate. And here I am.”
Despite fierce competition in Madrid’s star-studded attack, featuring the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Franco Mastantuono, Rodrygo remains a vital part of new boss Xabi Alonso’s setup.
The forward has produced several iconic moments for the club, including his unforgettable late brace against Manchester City in the 2022 Champions League semifinal, which helped propel Madrid to a record 14th European title.
The Brazilian was also the subject of heavy transfer speculation this summer, with reports linking him to clubs in the Premier League like City, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur, among others.
But he stayed put, eventually earning the favor of Alonso, and he now looks set to play a key role in Madrid’s bid to reclaim the Spanish crown from Barcelona.
It’s a fitting twist that one of Real’s most important attackers today once came within a signature of joining their greatest rivals.
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