Brazilian football icon Dunga has stepped forward with personal and heartfelt advice for Rodrygo as the Real Madrid winger finds himself at the center of one of the most heated transfer sagas heading into the January window. His comments arrive at a time when speculation surrounding Rodrygo’s future is intensifying, with Manchester City and Pep Guardiola reportedly preparing to accelerate their pursuit of the 24-year-old.
For weeks, powerful reports across Spain and England have linked Guardiola with a strong push to secure Rodrygo’s signature. Sources close to Manchester City suggest that the Premier League champions are willing to submit a formal bid worth between €60 million and €80 million, a figure that underlines Guardiola’s admiration for the Brazilian’s technical creativity and versatility in attack.
Rodrygo had previously been firm about his commitment to Madrid. Back in October, he publicly stated that he would only leave the club if Real Madrid themselves decided to push him out. However, despite that declaration, fresh reports from TEAMtalk indicate that the situation behind closed doors has changed. The winger is now said to be “open” to exploring a mid-season transfer should his circumstances continue to decline.
The frustration is understandable. The 2025/26 season has been a complicated one for Rodrygo under new manager Xabi Alonso. Despite his decorated achievements at the Santiago Bernabéu, including three LaLiga titles and two Champions League crowns, Rodrygo has made only two starts in LaLiga this season. His Champions League contribution has also been minimal, with just one start to his name since August.
Much of this reduced involvement is due to Alonso’s tactical reshuffling. The new manager has used Rodrygo primarily as a rotation option, balancing him between both wings but mainly challenging him to compete with Vinicius Junior for the left-wing role. This competition has left Rodrygo dissatisfied with his limited minutes, especially for a player who had been a decisive figure under Carlo Ancelotti.
TEAMtalk’s Fraser Fletcher reported on November 12 that while Real Madrid would ideally prefer to postpone any major squad decisions until the summer, Rodrygo has already indicated that he might consider a January exit if he remains sidelined. That acknowledgement has triggered strong interest from several top clubs, with Manchester City currently seen as the frontrunners.
Sources from England claim that Guardiola views Rodrygo as the perfect addition to City’s forward line. His intelligence on the ball, technical sharpness in tight spaces, and ability to operate across multiple attacking positions are believed to be major factors behind Guardiola’s admiration. City’s attack has evolved in recent seasons, and Rodrygo is seen as a player who could seamlessly fit into their fluid, possession-dominant system.
In the midst of this growing uncertainty, Dunga has urged the player to remain patient. Speaking to Marca, the former Brazil manager explained that Brazilian footballers tend to struggle emotionally when they are not playing regularly, something he believes Rodrygo is experiencing now. Unlike many European players who may remain calm during long spells on the bench, young Brazilian stars often carry the pressure of an entire nation’s expectations.
Dunga also highlighted the stark contrast between Alonso’s management style and that of Ancelotti. Under Ancelotti, the Madrid squad enjoyed a stable and predictable system, which allowed Rodrygo to flourish. Alonso, however, is implementing a more dynamic and tactical approach, requiring players to adapt quickly. Dunga believes Rodrygo simply needs more time to adjust before making any drastic decisions.
Interestingly, another Brazilian legend disagrees. Gilberto Silva, speaking to talkSPORT, encouraged Arsenal to seize the opportunity if Rodrygo becomes available. He argued that Rodrygo’s talent is being wasted on the Madrid bench and suggested that Arsenal could benefit massively from his ability to play across the entire forward line. Even with competition at the Emirates, Silva believes that a player of Rodrygo’s calibre should always be considered when such rare opportunities arise.
However, Silva also acknowledges that integrating Rodrygo into Arsenal’s current system would require careful planning. The Gunners already boast strong attacking options, and finding the perfect role for Rodrygo would be a challenge. But Silva insists the potential reward is too great to ignore.
As the January transfer window approaches, the tension surrounding Rodrygo’s future continues to rise. Real Madrid want stability, Manchester City want ambition, Arsenal see opportunity, and Rodrygo himself wants clarity. Between Guardiola’s pursuit, Alonso’s rotation policy, and the mixed advice from Brazil’s greatest football voices, the next few weeks could define the next major chapter of Rodrygo’s career.