Rodrygo’s Sudden Withdrawal Raises Eyebrows as Barcelona Stun Madrid in El Clásico Thriller
Real Madrid’s crushing 4-3 defeat to Barcelona in the latest installment of El Clásico did more than shake up the La Liga title race — it’s raised serious questions about unity within the Santiago Bernabéu dressing room.
In a post-match revelation that caught both media and fans off guard, manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Rodrygo Goes made himself unavailable for the high-stakes clash, citing a lack of physical and mental readiness.
“Rodrygo told us he wasn’t feeling at 100%. In these moments, you have to listen to the player. If a player doesn’t feel physically or mentally prepared, it’s better not to force it,” Ancelotti explained.
The timing could not have been worse. Despite a strong first half in which Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. put Madrid 2-0 ahead, Los Blancos capitulated under Barcelona’s second-half resurgence. Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and a dramatic late winner by João Félix completed a stunning comeback at the Bernabéu.
Rodrygo’s absence — particularly during a game where Madrid were clearly short on attacking depth — left many fans puzzled. The Brazilian has a reputation for stepping up in critical moments, and his decision to sit out such a pivotal match has sparked speculation in the Spanish media about possible unrest behind the scenes.
Ancelotti insisted there was no further issue beyond Rodrygo’s self-assessed unavailability, but the comment has fueled rumors of discontent within the squad, especially in a season already marred by a relentless injury crisis.
With the title race still alive but narrowing, Madrid must regroup quickly ahead of crucial fixtures in both La Liga and the Champions League. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on how Rodrygo integrates back into the squad — and whether this incident was a one-off… or a sign of deeper fractures within Madrid’s usually disciplined framework.
