|
== Style of play ==
Considered to be a talented and highly promising young player in the media, Rodrygo's playing style has been likened to that of compatriots and .fellow Santos FC graduates [[Robinho & Neymar]], due to their pace, technical skill, and similar direct style in attack. Although he does not possess significant physical strength or athleticism, due to his diminutive stature, Rodrygo's low centre of gravity, combined with his [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbling]] skills and resulting agility, allow him to change direction quickly when in possession of the ball, and beat opponents in one on one situations. He has also been noted for his decision-making, offensive positioning, finishing, link-up play, and creativity, which allows him to hold-up the ball and create space or chances for his teammates, in addition to scoring goals himself. He has also been praised by pundits for his work-rate and willingness to press opponents. While he normally plays as a right-winger, he is a versatile player, who has been used in several other positions, including on the left, and was also used in a free role as a right-sided forward or [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]] in a 4–3–1–2 formation during the 2023–24 season by manager [[Carlo Ancelotti]]; in this position, although he operated in more central areas at times, he was still given the freedom to move out wide to overload the flanks, or switch positions and link-up with Vinícius on the other side of the pitch. Although he is naturally right-footed, Rodrygo does not normally play as an inverted winger on the opposite flank, in contrast to many other wingers of his era.<ref name="best wingers2">{{Cite web |date=11 November 2022 |title=The 25 best right wingers in world football – ranked |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/the-25-best-right-wingers-in-world-football-ranked |access-date=9 April 2024 |website=90min.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="best wingers3">{{Cite web |last1=McCambridge |first1=Ed |last2=Hancock |first2=Tom |date=14 April 2023 |title=Ranked! The 10 best right-wingers in the world right now |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-the-best-right-wingers-in-the-world-right-now |access-date=16 April 2024 |website= |publisher=FourFourTwo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/opinion/2019/10/23/5db01c3de2704ee7498b4598.html |title=Rodrygo and Vinicius, so similar yet so different |work=MARCA |date=23 October 2019 |access-date=2 June 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://breakingthelines.com/data-analysis/rodrygo-what-makes-him-one-of-the-hottest-prospects-in-world-football/ |title=Rodrygo: What Makes Him One of the Hottest Prospects in World Football? |publisher=Breaking The Lines |date=16 May 2023 |access-date=2 June 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/news/football/first-team/latest-news/nacho-vini-jr-and-rodrygo-are-pure-magic |title=Nacho: 'Vini Jr. and Rodrygo are pure magic' |publisher=Real Madrid CF |language=es |date=11 November 2023 |access-date=2 June 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-15 |title=Rodrygo sends message to Ancelotti: I don't like playing as a No.9 but I have to at Real Madrid |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2023/10/15/652bf568268e3ef3768b4577.html |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=MARCA |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13144511/carlo-ancelotti-s-real-madrid-success-is-triumph-of-man-management-but-a-tactical-idea-too-in-his-own-way |title=Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid success is triumph of man-management but a tactical idea, too, in its own way |work=Sky Sports |last1=Bate |first1=Adam |language=en |date=29 May 2024 |access-date=30 May 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/38234460/vinicius-junior-frustration-dilemma-real-madrid |title=Vinicius Júnior's frustration at his new role another dilemma for Real Madrid |work=ESPN.com |date=22 August 2023 |access-date=2 June 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Five Brazilian football experts explain what makes Rodrygo so special |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2019/04/20/5cba0fc2ca474129128b45d5.html |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=MARCA in English |date=20 April 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
Rodrygo’s versatility has been a crucial asset for Real Madrid, allowing him to adapt to various attacking roles. Under Carlo Ancelotti, he has been deployed as a winger, second striker, and even in central attacking roles, showcasing his ability to fill multiple tactical needs. In a 2024 interview, Rodrygo acknowledged this adaptability, stating: "Often, I’m just filling blank spaces... but I’m a team player." Despite these contributions, he expressed frustration at being left off the 2024 Ballon d'Or shortlist, commenting: "I think I deserved it... but I’m not the one who decides these things."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Navarrete |first=Lucas |date=2024-09-09 |title=Rodrygo talks about his role: "Someone's missing? Just put Rodrygo there" |url=https://www.managingmadrid.com/2024/9/9/24239675/rodrygo-real-madrid-2024-role-quotes |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Managing Madrid |language=en}}</ref>
|
