Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that the demands of the team will always come above individuals following comments from Rodrygo about his role in the side.
Over the international break, Rodrygo admitted that he 'simply does not like' playing as a striker, with the Brazilian operating in that area of the field at club level this term.
Karim Benzema's surprise departure over the summer led to Ancelotti changing his formation, with new signing Jude Bellingham playing behind a front two, which has meant a change of position from Rodrygo.
The 22-year-old scored 19 goals and registered 11 assists in 57 appearances for Real Madrid last season while operating in a wide area, but his output so far this campaign has been disappointing.
Rodrygo has only managed one goal and one assist in 11 appearances, which led to him expressing his frustration with his role in the set-up over the international break.
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Central midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is also still being used at times as a left-back this season despite Fran Garcia arriving over the summer and Ferland Mendy now back to fitness.
Ancelotti has insisted that he will always put the good of the team above individual needs, but the Italian has said that Rodrygo has only played as a true centre-forward on one occasion this season.
"It is important to know where the player wants to play, I have never put anyone in a position that they do not like, but sometimes due to the demands of the team, it's necessary for someone to sacrifice themselves. Like [Aurelien] Tchouameni, Camavinga, Rodrygo himself too," Ancelotti told reporters.
"I think Rodrygo is a complete forward, he can play as a centre-forward. This season he has played one game as a centre-forward, against Napoli.
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"My idea first is the demands of the team, and then the demands of the individual. But for example, if I put Camavinga at left-back, I inform him first, I say to them they can do it. No-one has told me that he can't play in a position. No-one.
"Speaking of Sergio Ramos, I once put Ramos as a pivot, he didn't like it, but they were the team's demands, he did it. And everyone is doing so. This is a very well-defined in a word, and that is altruism."
Bellingham has been Real Madrid's standout attacker this season, scoring 10 times during a brilliant start to life at Bernabeu, while on-loan Espanyol striker Joselu has five goals in 11 appearances.
Vinicius Junior is third on the scoring list this term with three despite only making seven outings, and Rodrygo could therefore find himself on the bench for Saturday's La Liga clash with Athletic.
David Alaba has made a timely return to the squad for this weekend's game following a groin problem, but Thibaut Courtois, Nacho, Eder Militao, Dani Ceballos and Arda Guler are all unavailable.
Matt Law
