Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti explains Rodrygo absence amid transfer speculation

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Rodrygo missed Sunday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo through illness.

The Brazil international was a notable absentee when Ancelotti named his squad for the league fixture at Bernabeu.

There is currently a host of speculation surrounding Rodrygo's future, with the attacker believed to be giving serious consideration to leaving the reigning Spanish and European champions this summer.

Real Madrid did not reveal the reason for Rodrygo's absence when their squad was confirmed, but Ancelotti has now said that the forward was unavailable for selection on Sunday afternoon due to an illness.

The 24-year-old has represented Real Madrid on 50 occasions this season, scoring 13 times and registering 10 assists in the process, but he could find his starting role under threat next term if the team switch back to a 4-3-1-2 formation.

Rodrygo was absent against Celta through illness

"Rodrygo has a slight fever, but he will recover. We have a week, the time we need to prepare very well for the game," Ancelotti told reporters after his side's 3-2 home success over Celta.

Real Madrid have moved back to within four points of La Liga leaders Barcelona in the table ahead of next weekend's gigantic contest between the two sides.

Los Blancos were three goals up against Celta early in the second period, with Arda Guler scoring before Kylian Mbappe netted twice, but the visitors gave them a late scare by registering in the 69th and 76th minute to make it 3-2.

Real Madrid recorded a vital win over Celta on Sunday

"The game seemed to be over. We had the chance to score the fourth with Guler. Then we made the change because [Raul] Asencio was tired and couldn't go on. We suffered a bit more than necessary," Ancelotti told reporters.

"You have to take into account that with Asencio coming off, we were missing six defenders and we're not always able to fix these things. But we did very well for an hour, we could have managed the lead a little better, but in the end it was a nice win.

"Guler's progression is a natural one for a player who wants to play for Madrid, who has a lot of quality, who has worked hard and has not lost his confidence. It's clear that the Guler from September is not the Guler of today, he has changed a lot.

"His physical profile has also changed, he is much stronger and he still has the same quality. It has been a quite normal and natural progression for a young player at Real Madrid".

Real Madrid lost 3-2 to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final last weekend, and another defeat on May 11 would leave them with a serious mountain to climb in the final stages of the 2024-25 La Liga campaign.