Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has said that the environment within the team fits Jude Bellingham perfectly, adding that even the Englishman’s style of play compliments the team.
The Brazil international added that before Bellingham’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid had a fixed strategy, but the midfielder’s arrival has altered everything within the team, something that has worked for the good.
“There are not many English players in La Liga, but Real Madrid fits him [Bellingham] perfectly. Everything fits very well. The way he plays fits well with our game plan this year,” said Rodrygo in an interview with The Guardian (h/t AS).
“Last year we played one way like Real Madrid has always played, but this year the formation changed and it has really worked for him and the characteristics he offers are very good,” he added.
Rodrygo is proud to play for Real Madrid
During this international break, Rodrygo is set to take on England and Spain with his national team. These matchups offer him the chance to catch up with his Real Madrid colleagues like Bellingham and Dani Carvajal.
Despite his youth, the Brazilian is already considered one of the seasoned players in the Real Madrid squad, navigating the pressures of both his club and representing Brazil.
Ahead of the game against England, Rodrygo shared his thoughts on several aspects, but he also mentioned that he is proud to represent his nation as well as Real Madrid.
“Today I play for the national team and the biggest club in the world. There will be no way to continue if I cannot handle this pressure. I can never accept losing. This is the mentality of Real Madrid and the national team. I always think about winning.”
“This is what I have. In my head. I need to win to please the Brazilian fans and Real Madrid. Everyone is a little afraid. Some people know how to deal with fear better than others. That’s the difference.
“There is really a lot of pressure. In football, there is no rest. If you win on Wednesday, you are the best in the world. If you lose on Sunday, you are the worst in the world,” he explained.
Criticism and verbal abuse
It is to be noted that Rodrygo had a slow start to the season, leading to extreme criticism. Over the course of the season, however, coupled with Vinicius’ injury problems, the Brazilian took up the mantle, scoring goals at will.
Speaking about it, the 23-year-old explained how he deals with the criticism, saying,
“I try not to worry about what people will say. We have to be careful about our mental health. I advise everyone, not just players, to look for a psychiatrist. I started in March last year. It was my father who suggested it.
“At first I didn’t want to do it because I had a preconception that this was something for people with problems. When I did I realized that the psychiatrist was someone who was there to help me,” he added.
Like Vinicius, Rodrygo has been a subject of racism as well and when questioned about it, he said,
“I suffered verbal abuse on social networks from many Argentines. It was a very sad situation and it affected me. I was very sad. But we tracked down all the profiles that sent me abuse. There must be a lot of them.”
“They were scared the last few days when they received the lawsuit. People think they can write whatever they want on social media, but then they get sued at home for it.”
Lastly, the footballer said that despite all the hardships, he is very much happy with the experience he has had and even though he is relatively young, he is being treated as a veteran at Real Madrid.
“Time flies and I’m happy and sad at the same time because everything will end soon. You have to be more focused and work harder to make history. There are times when I think: ‘I’m not the youngest in the team anymore.’
“But I have to say that I am happy with this experience. Even though I am very young, they already treat me like a mature person and I help the newcomers as much as I can,” he added.