Real Madrid forward reveals he was close to joining Barcelona
Rodrygo Goes is now one of the torchbearers of Real Madrid’s next generation.
Rodrygo Goes is now one of the torchbearers of Real Madrid’s next generation.
The youngster even got off to a phenomenal start to the 2023-24 campaign at the weekend, scoring in Los Blancos’ 2-0 win over Athletic Club.
However, the prodigy might not have even been a Real Madrid player had fate played its cards a tad bit differently.
The Brazilian recently opened up to GE Globo about how his fairytale move to Real Madrid unfolded. He reiterated that he was inches away from signing for Barcelona and that Los Blancos entered the race in the final minute.
"Practically everything was done with Barcelona, we just needed to sign. I asked my dad: ‘Is there nothing from Real Madrid?’ There was nothing. I asked to wait for the weekend because we had a game. I said ‘I’m going to tear it up and Real Madrid will see me."
"My father got mad at me. ‘Are you kidding me? We have an offer from Barcelona. You’re going to play with Messi and you want me to wait?'"
"I went to the game, I scored 3 goals and gave an assist. During the game, Real Madrid called my father," the young sensation added on his long wait for an offer from Madrid.
Rodrygo then revealed that when he was faced with both options, his decision was a no-brainer.
"The next day, my father left without saying anything. He came back later, went straight into my room, and had a Real Madrid and a Barcelona shirt. He threw them to me and said: ‘Choose.’ I didn’t even think about it, it was Real Madrid."
The Selecao star went on to talk about Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and revealed that he was an extremely down-to-earth individual.
"Florentino has a lot of respect for us, you can see it in the way he speaks. He was one of those that most surprised me with all the power he has and the way he treats everyone. Always attentive and kind to everyone. He’s not all that he is for no reason."
Speaking on the constant media attention that came with being a Real Madrid player, Rodrygo said,
"There’s a lot of pressure from the press on us. I don’t know how to explain it. I feel the journalists who support Real Madrid are very supportive, but those who don’t support us are always lying and getting in the way.”"
He then spoke about the polarisation among football fans over Real Madrid and how the club is perceived by supporters of the game across the globe.
"Then all of Spain and Europe unite against Real Madrid. We have our supporters but, for those who don’t support us, it’s not just any club. It’s hated."