Rodrygo admitted he nearly joined Barcelona back in 2018, but one conversation with his father sent him the way of Real Madrid instead.
The Brazil international garnered interest from clubs across Europe following two breakout seasons at Santos FC, but Rodrygo, who was just 17 years old at the time, had a dream of playing in La Liga. So much so that when Barcelona came knocking, the winger signed with the Catalonia-based side.
Yet before the transfer became official, his father told him there was considerable interest from Real Madrid, changing the course of Rodrygo’s future.
“Before signing for Real Madrid, everything was already done and I’d signed for Barça. It’s true,” Rodrygo revealed in an interview with . “But my father told me Real Madrid had called us and I had to choose.
“For me, it was very easy. I knew what I wanted and what my dream was. I didn’t even hesitate. And here I am,” Rodrygo said.
Rodrygo waited until he turned 18 before making the move to the Spanish capital, where he would eventually go on to help Real Madrid win 13 trophies, including two Champions League titles. Both Real Madrid’s trophy cabinet and the Brazilian’s career could look a lot different had he decided to follow in his idol Neymar Jr.’s footsteps and join Barcelona.
The gravity of the situation was not lost on Rodrygo, though he admitted the decision was “easy to make” in the end. Real Madrid after all, was the forward’s “dream” that he “couldn’t wait any longer” to make a reality.
