In what became a chaotic post-match scene at the Santiago Bernabéu, Brazilian forward Rodrygo erupted in anger following Real Madrid’s friendly against RB Salzburg, directly criticizing coach Xavi for his limited playing time. The match, a relatively routine preseason encounter, was completely overshadowed by the heated controversy that followed.
Rodrygo, substituted in the 67th minute, visibly showed his frustration on the bench before storming off down the tunnel after the final whistle. Minutes later, during the press conference, he unleashed an unexpected verbal outburst that caught both the press and his teammates off guard.
“Xavi is a weak coach. I want to play more. I don’t understand his decisions anymore,” Rodrygo declared bluntly to the cameras. His comments immediately sparked murmurs in the press room and visible unrest among the club’s squad. According to sources close to the team, several veteran players expressed “shock and disappointment” by Rodrygo’s public criticism.
What made matters worse was the speed of Xavi’s response. Barely five minutes after Rodrygo’s fiery comments, the coach calmly appeared before the media and responded with composure and authority. Without raising his voice or showing any signs of anger, Xavi outlined three compelling and undeniable reasons for his substitution decisions.
“First,” Xavi began, “Rodrygo was recovering from mild muscle fatigue detected by our medical staff, and was only cleared to play a limited number of minutes.”
“Second,” he continued, “the tactical setup in the first hour of the match was specifically designed to test our midfield transition; Rodrygo’s introduction was planned to maximize his impact in the final third.”
“And third,” he concluded, “a player must earn every minute on the pitch with attitude and professionalism, not entitlement.”
The room fell silent. Even the most skeptical journalists recognized the precision and forcefulness of Xavi’s response. Within minutes, social media exploded with fans debating who was right. While some sympathized with Rodrygo’s hunger and passion, many others applauded Xavi’s calm authority and his reminder that no one, regardless of their status or talent, is above the team’s discipline.
Club sources later confirmed that Rodrygo met privately with Xavi after the press conference. Although no official statement has been issued regarding the disciplinary measures, the club is managing the situation internally.
As preseason progresses, all eyes will be on the upcoming lineup and Rodrygo’s behavior, both on and off the field. What was supposed to be a quiet summer match has rekindled questions about internal tensions and leadership dynamics at one of the most-watched clubs in football.
