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Rodrygo reveals he received Pele's blessing to join Real Madrid

Real Madrid winger Rodrygo reveals that he got the blessing of Brazil legend Pele before leaving Santos for the Bernabeu.

Rodrygo has revealed that he visited Pele's house to receive the Brazil legend's blessing before joining Real Madrid.

The 19-year-old made his name at Santos before joining Madrid in 2019, scoring 10 goals in 49 appearances for the club which Pele also represented for the vast majority of his playing career.

Neymar and Robinho are among the other star names to have swapped Santos for a major European club in the past, and Rodrygo acknowledged that the duo - in addition to Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo - acted as inspirations for him.

"Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Neymar are sources of inspiration, they're two players I'm a big fan of. Pele, Neymar and Robinho mean a lot to me and to my favourite team, too, which is Santos," Rodrygo told DAZN.

"Neymar was the one I followed most, but thank God I had the opportunity to meet all three of them. Even before I came to Madrid, I went to Pele's house and received his blessing before I left. Real Madrid is like Vila Belmiro [Santos' stadium], a dream for me.

"A dream come true. Anyone who knows me knows that. My big dream was to play here; I always watched the matches. I have a very good relationship with [manager Zinedine Zidane], he welcomed me very well.

"He knew the right moment to put me on the pitch and how to prepare for it. He helps me, advises me and tells me where and how to improve. He also highlights what I do well."

Rodrygo has made 18 appearances for Real Madrid so far, scoring seven goals and assisting two more.

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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


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