Madridistas, it is a week of mixed emotions at Valdebebas.
If you’ve been pulling your hair out over our recent struggles in front of goal, seeing Rodrygo return to full team training is exactly the sight you wanted. Inconsistent performances and missed chances have put Alvaro Arbeloa’s squad under immense pressure, and getting our Brazilian star back on the pitch is a massive step in the right direction for our LaLiga campaign.
However, there is a massive catch when it comes to Europe.
The Champions League Reality Check
While Rodrygo’s return to fitness after a frustrating hamstring issue offers Arbeloa much-needed depth and versatility in the final third, we have to face the music in the Champions League: Rodrygo will not feature against Benfica.
As many of you will painfully remember, Rodrygo was shown a red card in the dying moments of our disastrous 4-2 league-phase defeat in Lisbon. UEFA subsequently handed him a two-match suspension for his protests, ruling him out of both legs of our crucial knockout playoff against the Portuguese side.
While he won’t be able to help us exact revenge on Benfica, getting him match-fit for our upcoming domestic calendar remains a vital boost as we navigate a grueling schedule.
Shutting Down “The Special One” Rumors
When results dip at Real Madrid, the rumor mill goes into overdrive. Recently, whispers began circulating about a potential return for Jose Mourinho to the Santiago Bernabéu hot seat—ironically, right as we prepare to face his current Benfica side.
However, reports have completely ruled out any possibility of Mourinho returning to the club. The board is putting those rumors to bed early, keeping the focus entirely on the current project and stabilizing the squad’s form under Arbeloa.
The Big Takeaway: The noise outside the club doesn’t matter. While Rodrygo’s UEFA suspension is a bitter pill to swallow for the Benfica tie, having his firepower back for LaLiga is exactly what we need. It’s time for the rest of the squad to step up in Europe.