Rodrygo poised to leave Real Madrid amid tensions with Bellingham and Mbappé

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has reportedly decided he no longer wants to play for the club, citing growing dissatisfaction with his role and tensions involving high-profile teammates Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé.

Despite appearing in training ahead of Madrid’s upcoming La Liga clash with Mallorca, the 24-year-old Brazilian refused to feature in Sunday’s crucial El Clásico against Barcelona — a match Los Blancos lost 4-3, allowing their rivals to move within touching distance of the league title.

According to Marca, Rodrygo feels displaced by the media frenzy surrounding Bellingham and Mbappé, having once aspired to be a leading figure at the Bernabéu alongside fellow Brazilian Vinicius Jr. Bellingham, who joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, has quickly become a fan and media favourite, while Mbappé’s arrival last summer further complicated the pecking order.

Mbappé’s dominant season — with 38 goals in all competitions — has also reportedly created a rift with Vinicius Jr, the former poster boy of the club. The tactical adjustments made by Carlo Ancelotti, who recently announced his departure to manage Brazil, have left Rodrygo pushed out wide or benched in key games. Ancelotti increasingly favoured a front three of Vinicius, Bellingham, and Mbappé, leaving Rodrygo sidelined.

Rodrygo, who has made over 250 appearances for Madrid since joining from Santos in 2019, is said to be very angry and has largely isolated himself since deciding to skip El Clásico. His discontent comes as Real Madrid prepares to usher in a new era under expected incoming manager Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen.

With his exit now appearing inevitable, a Premier League transfer battle is brewing. Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool are all monitoring his situation closely. If a move materialises, Rodrygo will bring with him a wealth of experience and success — including two Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and a Copa del Rey win.

This summer could mark the end of an era for Rodrygo at Madrid — and the start of a new chapter in English football.