Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has once again defended his decision to bench Rodrygo in his side’s Club World Cup semifinal defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

WHAT HAPPENED?Brazil international Rodrygo is among those to have slipped down the pecking order early on under a new head coach at Santiago Bernabeu. His game time was limited at the Club World Cup,

Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has reportedly already made a decision over the Rodrygo amid links to Arsenal. Arsenal have so far made three signings this summer, in the form of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard. A fourth signing is imminent, with Noni Madueke expected to be announced in a deal from Chelsea soon.

Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso says his Real Madrid side were better off with ‘different players’ after benching Arsenal target Rodrygo for a fifth game in a row.   The Brazil international’s future at the Spanish giants is looking increasingly bleak with the Gunners among the sides interested in signing him this summer.

With fierce competition from Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior, one Real Madrid attacker has found himself on the fringes of Xabi Alonso’s plans. As Real Madrid reflect on a disappointing semifinal defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup,

Rodrygo’s future at Real Madrid has been uncertain ever since Carlo Ancelotti overlooked the winger in a title-deciding El Clásico. The Brazilian logged zero minutes against Barcelona and then missed out on Los Blancos’ final league matches of the season due to fitness concerns.