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Rodrygo opens up on dream of winning Champions League

Rodrygo opens up on dream of winning Champions League
© Reuters
Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo says that he realised his dream last season by winning the Champions League.

Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo has said that he realised his dream last season by winning the Champions League.

The 21-year-old was an important player for Los Blancos during the 2021-22 campaign, featuring on 49 occasions in all competitions, contributing nine goals and 10 assists in the process.

Rodrygo was key for Carlo Ancelotti's side in the Champions League, scoring five times and registering two assists in 11 appearances, including three goals in the knockout rounds.

The Brazil international scored a vital goal in the second leg of their quarter-final with Chelsea, while he came off the bench to register twice in the latter stages of the semi-final with Manchester City, with both goals coming in the final exchanges.

Rodrygo has said that it was always his dream to win the Champions League, and the attacker is delighted that he has managed to achieve it in the early stages of his career.

Real Madrid's Rodrygo scores their second goal on May 4, 2022© Reuters

"I've never played in a European Super Cup. I've only played the Spanish Super Cup and I think it's brilliant. I'd like to play in it every year," Rodrygo said in an interview with UEFA.

"We have to win the Champions League in order to do that and I want to win the Champions League every year. It's going to be really special for me. When we play in a final, we just want to win it, regardless of the name of the competition.

"Whether it's the Super Cup, the Champions League or any other competition, we always go out to win. It's the mentality of our team.

"I have to say to myself sometimes: 'My God, I've won the Champions League!' It's still hard to believe that I've won it. It was always one of my biggest dreams: playing for Real Madrid and winning the Champions League.

"I've managed to already do it at the age of 21. It's difficult to digest the fact that I've actually managed to do it. I've not only won the Champions League, I've won La Liga twice and the Spanish Super Cup twice. I don't think it could have been any better."

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo celebrates scoring against Chelsea on April 12, 2022.© Reuters

Rodrygo also lavished praise on Ancelotti, claiming that the Italian was vital to their success last season, with the team winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup in addition to the European Cup.

"He wins, that's what he does. He always wins, he's incredible. He's been successful everywhere he's been and it's no different here. He's done an amazing job with us since the day he joined," he said.

"I remember everything he said to us during the pre-season, the advice he gave us. The team kept growing and improving throughout the season, we had a few tough moments but it all worked out well in the end."

The five-time Brazil international joined Real Madrid from Santos in July 2019, and he has represented the club on 108 occasions, contributing 18 goals and 21 assists in the process.

Rodrygo still has another three years left to run on his contract, but the attacker told ABC last month that he is on the verge of penning a new deal, which is expected to run until June 2028.

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Written by
Matt Law

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