At Real Madrid, not everything is about glory and trophies. Behind Rodrygo’s calm composure and silky skills lies a dark period that the Brazilian has finally chosen to share. In a candid interview with AS, the 24-year-old winger opened up about his battle with depression during the 2024-2025 season, stating, “I wasn’t well,” with no hesitation.
Rodrygo’s limited game time this season (9 appearances, 2 starts, 3 assists) has been telling. He seems to have regained some peace, but the journey back has been a difficult one.
“Honestly, I went through a very tough time personally. I went a long time without talking to anyone. Nobody knew what I was going through,” he confessed, revealing a silent struggle that went largely unnoticed in a club where pressure is a constant companion.
It was his former coach, Carlo Ancelotti, now the Brazil national team manager, who sensed something was wrong. “He saw every day that I wasn’t okay, that I wasn’t fit to play. He told me: ‘Stay here quietly, you’re not in a state to play right now.'”
This kind and understanding gesture left a significant impact on Rodrygo: “He knew I needed to recover as a person before I could return as a footballer.”
The Valuable Support of Carlo Ancelotti
This tumultuous period understandably affected his performance, sparking rumors about a potential exit. Despite interest from clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham, Rodrygo decided to remain loyal to Real Madrid, where he is contracted until 2028. “Of course, there are always offers; I won’t lie about that. But I have always made it clear that I want to continue succeeding here,” he explained.
Now, as a two-time Champions League winner, Rodrygo aims to rebuild himself in a stable environment. “As long as Madrid loves me, I will stay here,” he insists, expressing gratitude to a club that has stood by him through his doubts.
While Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. bask in the limelight, Rodrygo strives to grow in the shadows, embracing a newfound maturity. Today, he claims to have “overcome everything.” In Madrid, this could be the dawn of a new Rodrygo: stronger, more human, and finally at peace with himself.
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