Real Madrid star tipped to become ‘club legend’ after win over Atletico

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has been tipped to become one of the most decorated and loved players in the club’s history after starring in the Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.

Real hold a narrow advantage over La Liga title rivals Atletico going into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie after winning 2-1 at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

Brazil international Rodrygo scored a superb opener inside five minutes as Real Madrid made a dream start to the knockout clash.

But in-form Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez curled arguably an even better strike past Thibaut Courtois to bring the visitors level before half time.

Atletico appeared on top at that point but Champions League holders Real Madrid came again and sealed a narrow win thanks to Brahim Diaz’s brilliant winner ten minutes after the break.

The result meant Carlo Ancelotti’s side will take a 2-1 lead across Madrid next week for the crucial second leg at Atletico’s Metropolitano Stadium.

Speaking after Real Madrid’s victory, ex-England midfielder Joe Cole singled out Rodrygo for praise and backed the 24-year-old to establish himself as one of the Bernabeu’s greatest ever players over the next decade.

Rodrygo has already lifted three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues at Real Madrid but Cole believes many more trophies await for a player who Jude Bellingham recently hailed as the ‘most talented’ in the squad.

‘He’s top drawer,’ Cole said on TNT Sports. ‘He’s gone under the radar because he isn’t Mbappe or Vinicius.

‘He’s probably 1% below them but he’s a real top, top player. He’s the one who sacrifices himself more than any other for his team-mates.

‘Honestly, he will probably be at Real Madrid for ten years, win hundreds of trophies and becomes an absolute legend at that club.

‘You have to be a top player to play for Real Madrid but to thrive like he is… he’s a real top, top player.’

Fellow pundit Karen Carney added: ‘He has everything. Last year he didn’t get the credit he deserved and I think he still goes under the radar now.’

Ancelotti was pleased with his team’s performance this evening but stressed that the tie is far from over.

‘It’s not easy against Atleti’s defence,’ he said. ‘My strikers, Kylian [Mbappe] and Vinicius [Junior], worked and worked. They’ll be ready to do the same next week.

‘Matches like this are always in the balance. It’s Atleti, a team of maximum European level. You can’t imagine you’re going to finish it in the first leg.

‘We’ve taken a small advantage into next week – that was our objective. My players ran, they worked, they made the difference – or Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo did.

‘We were ordered, compact and pressed Atleti well. They had moments of control but we created lots of goal opportunities.’

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, meanwhile, said: ‘I leave with the feeling that we competed well. We could have done more in terms of the goals we conceded.

‘We must continue with this rhythm for the second leg, which will be tough and difficult, and in which we will have the support of our fans. It will be an important game.’

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