Pep Guardiola is in love with Real Madrid's black sheep: 'He's on another level'

The match played yesterday at Bernabéu between Real Madrid and Manchester City left a very bitter taste for the white team. Xabi Alonso's team took to the field fully aware that they were playing for much more than three points, especially their coach, whose continuity is starting to depend on each result obtained. During the first 20 minutes, Madrid delivered one of their best starts of the season, with a tremendously inspired Rodrygo, a dominant Bellingham, and an imperial Asencio stopping Haaland.

However, as the minutes went by, the intensity of the home team gradually faded. Manchester City detected Real Madrid's cracks and began to grow in all phases of the game, imposing their usual style of control, possession, and precision. In the end, the English team completed the comeback and took a well-deserved 2-1 win (1-2) in front of a resigned Bernabéu.

The result leaves Xabi Alonso in a delicate situation and, once again, exposes Real Madrid's structural problems. The lack of solidity, the disconnect in midfield, and the errors in defensive pressing once again left the team exposed against a top-level rival. What started as an exercise in authority ended up becoming a defeat that hurts both in sporting and emotional terms.

Pep Guardiola falls in love with a Real Madrid player

After the match, Pep Guardiola appeared before the media to analyze what happened and did so with his usual calmness. He valued his team's effort, highlighted his players' ability to react, and acknowledged that winning at Bernabéu is always special. However, the most striking part of his statements focused on a Real Madrid footballer.

Pep Guardiola, far from hiding his admiration, praised Rodrygo Goes to the skies, the well-known black sheep of the white locker room due to his inconsistency and recent criticism. The Catalan coach once again made it clear that the Brazilian is a player who fits his footballing philosophy: "I told Rodrygo how good he is. This boy is a player on another level", he stated with complete naturalness.

Pep Guardiola's words haven't gone unnoticed in either England or Spain. Rodrygo has spent two summers being linked to Manchester City, especially in 2024 and 2025, but a definitive agreement between clubs has never been reached. The Brazilian, who is going through a turbulent period at Real Madrid, has surely appreciated the Catalan coach's words.

Rodrygo's transfer to Manchester City heats up

Pep Guardiola's statements have reignited all the rumors about his future. No one at Bernabéu dares to assure that Rodrygo will remain part of the project beyond this summer. Manchester City wants him, Pep admires him, and the player, aware of his situation, could be open to a change of scenery.

For now, Rodrygo remains an important piece in a Real Madrid full of uncertainties. But if the Bernabéu night has made anything clear, it's that Pep Guardiola hasn't said his last word. When Pep falls in love with a footballer, the story almost always ends with a high-profile signing.