Since that brace in injury time in the 2022 semifinals against Manchester City, it has always been considered that Rodrygo Goes had a special relationship with the Champions League. And nothing could be further from the truth, as he has entered the Olympus of the competition, wearing the Real Madrid jersey at just 24 years old after his most recent goal against Atlético de Madrid.

25 goals by Rodrygo in the Champions League with Real Madrid

Before many fans had even found their seats at the Santiago Bernabéu, Rodrygo managed to give Real Madrid the lead just four minutes into the match, taking advantage of a sensational pass from Fede Valverde. This goal made him the fifth player in Real Madrid history to reach 25 goals in the Champions League.

The feeling was that, in addition to Brahim Díaz (who scored the 2-1 goal), he was the most in-form attacker for Real Madrid, even above Mbappé or Vinícius. In fact, he was named by UEFA as the MVP of the match: “It’s an important individual award that rewards the effort of the match. I’m happy with my performance and the team’s performance.”

Rodrygo’s importance at Real Madrid

However, that wasn’t the only record Rodrygo broke on the night against Atlético de Madrid. He also became the fifth-youngest player in Champions League history to reach the 25-goal milestone. Ahead of him, only true prodigies like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Leo Messi, or Raúl González remain.

In a season where he seemed a bit overshadowed by the figures of Vinícius, Bellingham, and Mbappé, Rodrygo has managed to find his place at Real Madrid without making too much noise. In fact, Jude Bellingham himself called him “the most talented and best-equipped player at Real Madrid”… before concluding that “he is the player who sacrifices the most and never complains.”