Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has heaped commendations on Brazilian forward Rodrygo for his match-winning performance for Los Blancos on Sunday.

Rodrygo scored a brace for Real Madrid in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Athletic Club, which put the Los Blancos in a good position to go into the season’s final matches.

Rodrygo hit a spectacular individual effort within the first ten minutes to open the scoring, but the second one came in the second half to see off the uninspiring visitors at Santiago Bernabeu.

Ancelotti praised his quality and said he was the big difference in the game, especially with respect to his early goal.

“He has played very well, he has made a difference, he has been able to score very early, he has a very high quality in his actions, it is what he has to do. Now, you can say that he feels better on the left, but he is good everywhere. Let’s not forget that he scored two goals playing on the right in a Champions League semi-final.” Ancelotti said after the game.

The comments by the coach could be a testament to Rodrygo’s importance to the capital club after so many reports had linked him with a move away from the club with the imminent arrival of French forward Kylian Mbappe.

It is believed that Rodrygo may be one of the players that will be sold to create space for Mbappe alongside Vinicius Junior, while youngster Endrick is also expected to join the team in the summer. Meanwhile, Rodrygo said he remains calm and focused on finishing the season well, with as many titles as possible, and Mbappe’s arrival is a coach’s problem. 

Real Madrid will face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League in their next game on April 9, while their next La Liga fixture is an away trip to Mallorca before visiting Etihad for the second leg of the quarterfinal tie.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu