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Topics: Real Madrid, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Football, Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti, La Liga
Luke Davies
Topics: Real Madrid, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Football, Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti, La Liga
A Real Madrid star has reportedly 'refused to play' for the club again due to Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.
Bellingham, 21, and Real Madrid will likely end the 2024/25 season without a trophy as Carlo Ancelotti’s side fell seven points behind Barcelona after a 4-3 El Clásico defeat on Sunday (11 May).
The England international started the match as Fede Valverde, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick, also featured.
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However, there was a notable omission from the starting XI.
Although Rodrygo was named as a substitute, he did not feature and hasn’t played since being substituted at half time of Real’s 3-2 Copa del Rey final defeat against Barca in April, before missing the subsequent La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo on May 4.
As reported by Spanish outlet MARCA, the Brazilian winger told the Los Blancos staff that he “didn't feel strong or up to playing” despite taking part in four training sessions during the week.
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When pressed on the matter in a post-match press conference, Ancelotti explained: “He had recovered, but he wasn't feeling well. He wasn't at his best. I have no problem with him. He's had a fever, and putting him on for five minutes when he's not well has a risk: that he could get injured."
However, on Tuesday (May 13), MARCA reported that the situation around Rodrygo is “tense”.
The outlet claims that the player feels “displaced” after the “media explosion” surrounding the arrivals of Bellingham and Mbappe in recent seasons, which has created a “rift” with Vini Jr.
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MARCA reports that “Rodrygo is currently confined to his home, clearly angry at having lost the leading role he hoped to have alongside Vinicius” with suggestions that he no longer wants to play for the club.
Whether Ancelotti’s likely predecessor, Xabi Alonso, can sort the situation out remains to be seen, as Rodrygo will not be short of offers if he were to leave Madrid.
MARCA issued an update later on Tuesday morning and claimed that Rodrygo withdrew from training during the warm-up and will likely miss tomorrow's clash against Mallorca.
Premier League clubs Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with a potential move for the 24-year-old, whose Real contract is set to run until the summer of 2028.