REAL MADRID DREAM VS PLAYTIME: RODRYGO'S CRUCIAL CAREER DECISION LOOMS
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has set a club record 30-game scoreless drought. The lack of playing time under Xabi Alonso has reportedly led him to consider a January exit.
Real Madrid dropped points for the fourth time in five games on Sunday evening, tying 1-1 with Girona. They needed a penalty just to get that draw. This marks their third straight draw in La Liga.
Besides the penalty and a first-half header from Eder Militao after a set piece, Real Madrid didn't create many scoring opportunities. Their shots were easy for Girona to defend.
Rodrygo, who came on for Aurelien Tchouameni in the second half, didn't do much to help. 2025 hasn't been a good year for the Brazilian player.
He hasn't scored in 30 games for the club, which is the longest scoreless streak for any forward in Real Madrid's history.
He's had a lot of short appearances off the bench during this time. Since his goal against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on March 4, he’s played about 14 full games' worth of minutes.
Even though those minutes were spread out, his performance in 2025 hasn't been great.
What's even more concerning is that he's only played 539 minutes under Xabi Alonso, including the Club World Cup. It's December now, and that's barely more than the 285 minutes he's played for Brazil during the same period.
There were rumours that he might leave Real Madrid in the summer, but nothing happened. He seemed happy to stay. Now, you have to wonder if he's changed his mind, especially with the World Cup coming up.
He's still getting playing time for Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti, his old Real Madrid coach. But if Neymar is healthy, could Rodrygo lose his spot? Raphinha will likely be back in the squad too.
Many players aren't just happy to be in the World Cup; they want to start. In Qatar, he only started one game, which was against Cameroon, and he was taken off early.
Then there was the heartbreak of missing a penalty against Croatia. He should be eager to make up for that in 2022. He was only 21 then, but he'll be 25 for this tournament. It would be a shame if he still can't crack the starting lineup.
If he can't get into the Real Madrid team, it's unlikely he'll start for Brazil either. With Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and the emergence of Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono, things don't look like they'll change soon. January will be interesting. Despite his recent form, you'd think there'd be other teams interested in him.
Even when Rodrygo does start, it's often not in his best position. He prefers playing as a left winger, where he played for Santos, or even in the centre.
Several clubs could offer him a starting role on the left or in the middle. But Real Madrid is his dream club, like it is for many South Americans. He has to ask himself what he wants more: Real Madrid or just playing football?
If it's the latter, it's time for him to consider his options. His recent struggles are a shame because he's a talented player. The Manchester City game feels like ages ago. This is a critical time in his career, so let's see what happens.
SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS: ANALYTICAL LOOK AT TWO BLUNDERS COSTING XABI ALONSO'S JOB
Xabi Alonso's job is at risk after Real Madrid suffered a chaotic defeat to Man City, sealed by crucial errors from Courtois and Rudiger within seven minutes.
If this was the night Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid dream died, he'll leave the Bernabeu knowing the wounds were self-inflicted.
This game showed just how unpredictable football management can be.
Needing a win to relieve pressure after a shaky spell, Alonso's team seemed in control after Rodrygo's goal. Even without Mbappe, nursing a knee injury, Real was the better team. Man City looked strangely uncertain and couldn't get a grip on the game.
But goals can shift everything, mostly when a team's confidence is low.
Then came two quick errors: Courtois gifting O'Reilly an easy goal and Rudiger fouling Haaland for a penalty that was converted. Real went from control to chaos in seven minutes.
That’s how it stayed. As Real got nervous, City took over and secured a win that puts their Champions League fate in their own hands, with games against Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray coming up.
As for Alonso, things look tough. After the game, following his team's fruitless late efforts, he shook Guardiola's hand and headed down the tunnel. The Real anthem played, but without the fans' voices, it felt like a funeral march, which may be how things turn out.
On paper, Real's season isn't a disaster. Slot at Liverpool would take it. They're second in LaLiga, four points behind Barcelona, and in the Champions League spots. But the mood in Madrid is bad, and Alonso's job might be at risk. This was their second loss to an English team in Europe, and they've only won two of their last eight games.
The city doesn't care about that. They came here with bad memories of past games at the Bernabeu and some doubts about their own European form. They left with their fate in their hands and deserved the win.
After equalizing, they were the better team and could have scored more.
Early on, they had to hang on. Real even had a penalty shout within two minutes after City lost the ball in midfield.
Real created an opening on the left, and when Nunes tripped Vinicius Junior, it looked like a clear penalty. It was given, but VAR showed the foul was just outside the box. Valverde's free kick went wide.
City struggled to get into the game and were vulnerable on the wings. Rodrygo found space on the right, and his cross to Vinicius Junior was well-timed. But Donnarumma should have done better than let Vinicius lift the ball over him and wide.
Real kept pressing and eventually scored. Silva lost a challenge, allowing Real to switch the ball and create an opening. Bellingham helped the ball to Rodrygo, who finished well.
City seemed in trouble, but a goalkeeping howler gave them a way back. Courtois pushed a header into O'Reilly's path, and he scored.
Then, a lifeline turned into an advantage. A city corner was cleared, but VAR spotted Rudiger pulling Haaland. Haaland scored the penalty, and City led.
Courtois then saved well from Haaland and Cherki, and in the second half from Silva and Doku. But his earlier mistake changed the game, and Real never recovered.
Bellingham missed a chance and took his frustration out on the advertising boards. Later on, there were a couple of headed chances that might have leveled the score on another day.
But this wasn't Alonso's day, and it might have been his last.
LEFT-BACK NIGHTMARE: REAL MADRID FACES DEFENSIVE VOID AFTER MASS SUSPENSIONS
An analysis of Real Madrid's suspension woes: Endrick's final La Liga match is confirmed, while defensive gaps force Coach Alonso to make tough tactical calls.
Real Madrid's recent loss to Celta Vigo wasn't just a simple defeat; the team is struggling right now. To make matters worse, four players are now suspended for upcoming games.
In the match against Celta Vigo, Fran Garcia received two yellow cards, while Alvaro Carreras and Endrick Felipe were ejected for arguing with the referee. Dani Carvajal, the team captain, was also noted for comments he made to the referee, even though he wasn't playing.
Now, all four players know their punishment. Carreras, Endrick, and Carvajal will each miss two games, while Garcia will only sit out one game because his sending off was due to two yellow cards, according to Sport.
This means all four will be out for the game against Alaves this weekend. Carreras, Endrick, and Carvajal will also miss the final game of 2025 against Sevilla.
The suspension hits Endrick harder since he's expected to leave Real Madrid for Lyon in January. This means his season with Real Madrid is likely over, unless he plays in the Champions League game against Manchester City or the Copa del Rey match against CF Talavera de la Reina.
For Carvajal, the suspension doesn't really change anything. He's still recovering from a knee injury and isn't expected back until January or February, so he wouldn't have been available for the Alaves or Sevilla games anyway.
Real Madrid probably won't have a natural left-back for the Alaves game since Ferland Mendy is injured. But Garcia will return for the Sevilla game the following weekend, which is some welcome news for coach Xabi Alonso.