Rodrygo: “There would be no way to continue if I couldn’t stand the pressure”

Rodrygo will face England and Spain in this month’s international break which means he will be up against club team mates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal. The Brazilian, despite his young age, is already one of the most experienced players in Carlo Ancelotti’s youthful Real Madrid side and takes the pressures of playing for the Spanish giants - and also Brazil, in his stride. Before the match against England, Rodrygo gave an interview to The Guardian, in which he spoke about how fast a footballer’s career moves.

“Time passes quickly and you’re happy and sad at the same time because it will all be over soon. You have to be more focused and work harder to make history. There are times when I think: ‘Damn it, I’m no longer the youngest in the team.’ When there are jokes, I’m no longer the first in line because there are younger players than me. But I can say I’m happy to have this experience. Even though I’m so young, I’m already treated like a mature person and I help the newcomers as much as I can,” he explained.

Only winning counts at Real Madrid

The Brazilian’s responsibilities at both Madrid and with the national team could not be higher - success is not only expected but demanded: “Today I play for the biggest national team in the world and the biggest club in the world. If I don’t want pressure playing for those two, something is wrong. There would be no way to continue. I can never settle for losing. That’s the mentality of Real Madrid and the Seleção.

“I always think about winning. That’s what I’ve got in my head. I need to win to please the Brazilian and Real Madrid supporters. Everyone has a little fear - it’s normal. Some people know how to deal with fear better than others. That’s the difference. There is really a lot of pressure. There’s no rest in football. If you win on Wednesday, you’re the best in the world. If you lose on Sunday, you’re the worst in the world. You have to have balance”.

After receiving a lot of criticism, the forward opened up about how he decided to face it: “I try not to worry about what people are going to say. People also need to understand the player’s side. We need to be careful about our mental health. I’ve been speaking to someone and it helped me a lot because I had a totally different idea of what it would be. I started doing it and I really enjoyed it. It was my father who suggested it. I didn’t want to do it at first because I had this prejudice of thinking it was something for people with problems. I thought: ‘I’m fine and I don’t need this.’ But I decided to have a session. When I did, I realized that the psychologist was someone who was there to help me - she was a friend, that I could tell her anything.”

Racism in football

Rodrygo also talks about some racist episode that he has had to live through: “I suffered racism on social media from many Argentinians. It was a very sad situation and it gets to you. I was very sad. But we tracked down all the profiles that sent me abuse. Many of them must have been scared in the last few days when they received the lawsuit. People think they can write whatever they want on social media, but then they get a lawsuit at home because of it.”

Bellingham’s seamless adaptation to life in Madrid

Before tonight’s friendly against England, Rodrygo was asked about his thoughts on Bellingham’s debut season: “There aren’t very many English players in La Liga, but it was a perfect fit for him,” he replied. “Everything has fitted into place for him very well. The way he plays fits well into our gameplan this year. Last year we played one way, the way Real Madrid have always played, but this year the formation has changed and it has really worked for him and the characteristics he brings. He’s very good”.

To end, Rodrygo spoke about how important it is for those who are close to you to tell you the truth and advise you: “There are things you don’t want to hear, that people close to you won’t say, but that you really need to hear. [Brazil coach] Dorival had a go at me right at the beginning. That’s good because I’m already more switched on, ready and aware of my responsibility. There’s no age for being told off. It showed that he will treat all the players in the same way.

“My responsibility is increasing,” he adds. “I keep that in mind. And it’s going to keep increasing. It’s a new generation that I’m part of and I can be one of its leaders. I know what I can bring to the team. I know that the supporters expect a lot from me”.