Xabi Alonso Dismisses Rodrygo Transfer Speculation After PSG Defeat

Real Madrid’s unexpected 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-final has intensified scrutiny on head coach Xabi Alonso, particularly regarding his decision to sideline Brazilian winger Rodrygo. Despite swirling transfer rumours linking the 24-year-old to the Premier League, Alonso firmly denied any implications about the player’s future, insisting the benching was purely tactical.

Rodrygo, who has struggled to find consistency under Alonso’s management, has started only one match in the tournament—against Al-Hilal—where he made a notable impact by registering an assist. Yet, across Madrid’s last five fixtures, the forward has seen just 27 minutes of playtime, raising questions about his role in the squad.

Responding to inquiries about Rodrygo’s omission against PSG, Alonso clarified: “Each match requires different decisions. In this case, we needed a different type of player. No decisions have been made about any player’s future during this competition.”

The Madrid boss also expressed disappointment over their World Cup exit: “We aimed to build a team with unity and intensity. Falling short in the semi-finals is painful, but we’ll reset and move forward.”

Rodrygo’s limited game time has sparked fresh interest from European giants Arsenal and Liverpool. Both clubs reportedly see the winger as a valuable addition, with Madrid believed to be open to offers exceeding €90 million. While Saudi Pro League teams have shown interest, Rodrygo’s priority remains to compete at the highest level in Europe.

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