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Rodrygo Goes shone in Real Madrid’s win against Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu. Immediately after the party in the capital, the winger spoke to the media in the stadium’s mixed zone. Beyond the questions about Madrid’s Arda Güler or Girona’s Yan Couto, a certain name and surname came up again: Kylian Mbappé.

The Brazilian, who uploaded a photo with the Frenchman in the summer of 2023, is in favour of Mbappé’s arrival to the Bernabéu: “I would love for Mbappé to come”, he admitted, “I always want to play with the best players and he is one of the best in the world. I can’t talk much about him. “He is a PSG player and I have to respect him.”

‘This team will be stronger every day’

The attacker was asked if the possible arrival of the French talent would cause the level of competition in attack to rise. He not only admitted so, but insisted that such a proposition actually motivates him: “That’s good because it shows that this team will be stronger every day.”

Kylian Mbappé has once again been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid over the past weeks and months, with some reports saying that the player has already decided to join the Spanish club and his deal, which would be a huge financial package, is being worked on by the club.

‘The manager never talks to me about scoring’

We knew it was an important game to win, we are happy with the win”, Rodrygo said, “it’s special for me [to get goal number 51]. I’m very happy.”

“We are confident in all the players, and they’re versatile”, the attacker responded when asked about the defensive changes that the club were forced into. “We’re confident in playing with Carvajal and Tchouaméni at the back. The manager never talks to me about scoring, I think he’s confident in me. I just thank him for his support. We talk but about other things, not scoring or assisting.”

Ancelotti avoids Mbappé when asked about world’s best

“He told me (at half-time) I was defending well” Rodryog chuckled, “but at the start of the second half he told me I was defending badly and that he was going to take me off! It was to pressure me a little!”

Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press after the game, saying that Rodrygo was the third best player in the world. As for Mbappé, he failed to name the player when asked about the top talents, saying simply that “that player belongs to another team.” The next game for Los Blancos comes against Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas, on February 18.

Real Madrid’s 4-0 victory against Girona leaves Ancelotti’s side with a five-point advantage over Girona, their closest rival in the race for the title. A double from Bellingham as well as goals from Vinicius and Rodrygo gave them three resounding points to the side that showed their class on the night.