Xabi Alonso Sparks Rodrygo Transfer Rumors After Shocking Club World Cup Squad Call
Once again in this FIFA Club World Cup, Xabi Alonso has chosen to leave Rodrygo on the bench during a crucial match for Real Madrid.
Rodrygo's position at Real Madrid has remained questionable since Carlo Ancelotti excluded the winger from a decisive El Clásico encounter. The Brazilian player received no playing time against Barcelona and subsequently missed Los Blancos' concluding league fixtures of the campaign due to physical issues.
Alonso's appointment was expected to provide Rodrygo with a new opportunity following his disappointing 2024–25 season, during which he managed to score only once in his last 22 outings. The 24-year-old appeared to be included in his new coach's strategy when he was selected to start against Al Hilal in Real Madrid's Club World Cup opening match.
However, Los Blancos managed to secure only one point from the frustrating 1–1 stalemate. Rodrygo, despite providing an assist for Real Madrid's single goal, was substituted in the 65th minute and subsequently benched for the Pachuca encounter. He then appeared for merely 23 minutes in Real Madrid's 3–0 triumph over RB Salzburg to conclude the group phase.
The situation became even more concerning for Rodrygo when he was again excluded from Alonso's starting lineup for Real Madrid's round of 16 clash against Juventus. Even when Los Blancos urgently needed a securing goal during the final moments of the match, the Brazil international remained unused on the substitutes' bench.
Rodrygo has accumulated only 23 minutes of action in Real Madrid's previous three fixtures, totaling 88 minutes throughout the Club World Cup. Players like Brahim Díaz and Dani Ceballos have featured more frequently than the winger during this summer's tournament in the United States, sending a clear message from Alonso.
Despite the new Real Madrid manager's claims that Rodrygo maintains "a significant role to fulfill" in the competition, he is placing his confidence primarily in Vinícius Júnior and the now-fit Kylian Mbappé in attack, while Trent Alexander-Arnold covers much of the right flank.
The limited playing time only intensifies the transfer speculation surrounding Rodrygo. The Brazilian has been connected with various Premier League teams this summer, notably Arsenal and Chelsea, and might soon find himself competing in England's top division if Alonso continues to sideline him.
Arsenal, specifically, has targeted Rodrygo as a priority. The two-time Champions League champion would finally have the opportunity to feature in his favored left-wing position with a transfer to north London, addressing Arsenal's offensive struggles from the previous season. However, Mikel Arteta's team will probably face challenges in funding such a transaction.
All attention will focus on Rodrygo when Real Madrid face Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup quarterfinal stage.