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.
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK
Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.
Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.
Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.
People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.
This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.
Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.
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