The Next Santos Prodigy - Bem Vinda Rodrygo Silva de Goes

I've been giving this some thought. If Rodrygo, big if, isn't being actively pushed out of the club, might as well have him compete with Vini for the LW spot.

Worse thing that could happen is one of them sulks while the other gets a fire lit under his arse. All these while evaluating Vini's renewal. It's a win for the club.

Let Brahim, Mr. Tonto and whoever compete for that RW slot.

 

Show me a match where Rodrygo excelled at LW. It's time to sell him.

 

I'm probably labeled a Rodrygo hater here but he has had some good games at LW.

It's just the lack of consistency. Although, with how Vini has been for a year which one is worse considering Vini and Mbappe can't play together. I think Rodrygo may be able to play with Mbappe.

 

I've come across multiple reports claiming that Rodrygo told Xabi he only wants to play at the LW (not RW). We'll see vs Oviedo.

 

Mario from Athletic few weeks ago reported that Xabi was gonna bench Vini vs PSG due to his poor form until late Trent injury.

Dropping Brahim for Rodrygo is easier. But Vini will have to move to RW then.

 

Yup. He wants to stay and fight for his place. He's probably thinking if Vini leaves that that spot is his.

I don't mind him staying because of how good he plays with Mbappe. I feel like keeping Rodrygo and letting him play with Mbappe will maximize Mbappe.

We had attackers around Cristiano that maximized him, we should do the same here.

 

Xabi has toyed with Vini on the right. Carlo had as well and he has been more productive.

When Vini is right of Mbappe he can go inside, outside... when he is pinned on a flank he is easy to stop.

 

He pins himself to the flank. The guy is done regardless of where he plays.

 

With Vini's poor form, he should have his position as automatic starter tested by Rodrygo. Despite him being hot and cold himself, he can't be much worse than current Vini and has better synergy with Mbappe.

 

This is a genuine question because I am curious to review some old games.

Which Vini game where he played at least half an hour on the RW would you consider was his best?

 

See, I don't buy that all that.

Rodrygo is not so good because he doesn't play in his preferred position:

- He played at RW for 6 years, he even played there in the youth Seleçao teams + he was a RW with Santos at times. Now, he's not comfortable there and it's not his favorite position.

- Rodrygo played at LW when Vini was injured last season and was pretty damn bad.

Mbappe- Rodrygo have a better connection than Mbappe-Vini together:

- Again, didn't see it last season when Vini was out. Rodrygo and Mbappe did not connect well at all.

 

This! Rodrygo and Mbappe have a far better connection than Vini and Mbappe. Rodrygo tries to combine and play w his brain. I hope he is given a chance because Vini right now doesn't deserve to be in the lineup.

 

Is anyone here really arguing that Rodrygo is a better RW than a LW and that he doesn't have better on field combinations and movement with Mbappe compared to Vini?

Really?

 

I think Vini will probably still outplay Rodrygo from the RW.

His scoring and assists might go down but he will still have better statsthan Rodrygo does on either the left or the right and then we come full circle to where the realization becomse he's the better player and the tradeoff of having Rodrygo play a little better in his preferred position isn't worth it for the team as a whole.

This could very well play out in the thinking of the club and player.

Maybe Rodrygo knows Vini is planning on leaving for free and collecting a 1billion Saudi retirement check after the world cup.

Maybe the club thinks selling Rodrygo is a way of clearing space under the salary cap to give Vini the pay bump or worst case scenario if Vini leaves then it opens up the the left wing position and wages for whoever the club might be interested in later on.

 

I don't recall seeing Vini at RW consistently since his first season here. Doubt it would work, or that he would be receptive to it.

 

I personally can't wait for him to get sold so I don't have to see people pretending like he's so amazing, rewriting history and making excuses for him like he's their son. He scored 6 goals from 2000 minutes of La Liga. Had all the chances in the world, was undisputed starter and had full support from the coach.

He's just not that guy, doesn't score much, doesn't assist much, isn't fast or some amazing dribbler.

He reminds me the most of Bale(after Bale was past it) and Asencio. Why? Because he disappears and hides from the ball. And the two of them had a better shot.

 

Rodrygo is really not setting the world on fire on the left either.

 

It’s hard to support Vinny given his antics. It would be nice just to watch and not expect some drama.

I didn’t see the match apart from minute 45-75 yesterday.

I don’t take much from this one TBH. We’re still in preseason mode and beating two relegation destination squads.

I’m circling the away match against Real Socidad as the real indicator of progress and where we are.

 

Vini with his prolonged poor form and attitude has just set the bar low enough that Rodrygo could challenge him.

 

Rodrygo had a good match. What Vinicius did wasn't due to being tied to the left wing it was because he is choas as a player.

In his assist he pressures, gets the turn over and runs hard to the right to cut back a pass to Mbappe on the left.

He can do this from anywhere and had when Carlo moved him right if Mbappé during matches last season.

The role Franco was playing (right of Mbappe, with freedom to roam) is exactly what Vinicius should be playing. He is not a player who should be pinned to any wing.

Rodrygo is that type of player who can succeed playing there.

 

🗣 Rodrygo: "When Xabi arrived, he called me in to talk and said, "I know you like playing on the left, but I'm going to need you in other positions too." I told him, "Okay, mister, I'm here to help the team."

Everyone knows I prefer to play on the left and that I'm much better… pic.twitter.com/fy2JZW5InK

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) October 6, 2025

 

I don't get it. According to this statement, Xabi Alonso wanted him to play elsewhere and he is accepting his role, but he has not played anywhere but the left.

 

Yeah, I dont believe a word of that quote, honestly. Even when Rodrygo got subbed in at the weekend, Vini was moved to the CF position.