Arsenal had the chance to see one of their transfer targets in action on Wednesday night as Real Madrid took on Saudi side Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup.
The Gunners are showing an interest in winger Rodrygo, with Mikel Arteta keen to add attacking reinforcements to his squad over the summer window. However, Xabi Alonso’s arrival at Real Madrid could put a spanner in the works.
The new boss is likely to want to have a good look at Rodrygo before making a definitely decision on the winger. It therefore could be a waiting game for Arsenal.
The Brazilian got his first chance to impress this week when Real Madrid played their opening match of the Club World Cup against Al-Hilal. Rodrygo was selected to start on the right of the front three.
He provided an assist for Gonzalo Garcia’s goal in the first half, but a Ruben Neves penalty in the 41st minute meant that they had to settle for a point from the game. Rodrygo was taken off by Alonso in the second half as Real Madrid searched for a winger.
And it seems that his performance gained mixed reviews from the onlooking Spanish press. Here’s a look at what just a few had to say.
‘Golden opportunity’
Defensa Central gave the winger a mark of four out of 10, their assessment read: “After several weeks of rumours surrounding his continuity, another golden opportunity finally arrived.
“He started on the right wing, despite all the talk about his role in that position. He had been making more than his fair share of mistakes until the 33rd minute, when his dribbling and assist to Gonzalo opened the scoring.
“He struggled more during a second half where few opportunities allowed him to perform. He remains in serious debt.”
‘A bit plodding’
Sport gave him a rating of five out of 10. They said: “The only positive thing we can count n him was the assist for Gonzalo to make it 1-0.
“Otherwise, the Brazilian was slow to break through and seemed a bit plodding. He’s on the same form as last.”
‘Real threat’
There was however a different assessment from the Spanish version of Goal. The website gave the winger a rating of eight out of 10.
Their assessment simply said: “Picked up a lovely assist and was a real threat down the right wing.”
‘Improvement’
There was another more positive rating from Football Espana. They gave Rodrygo a score of seven out of 10.
They wrote: “2025 has not been easy for Rodrygo, but there was a slight improvement in Miami. He also laid on the assist for Real Madrid’s only goal.”
