Real Madrid have as many as six players in their first-team squad without European passports, but following an agreement between the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the Spanish Players’ Association (AFE) and LaLiga, British footballers who were under contract before Brexit will not count as non-EU until their current deal expires.
According to LaLiga’s rules Spanish clubs can register only three non-EU players, and that was going to be an issue for Real Madrid as they would be forced to choose between Gareth Bale and Rodrygo Goes for the last slot, as Vinicius Junior and Eder Militao will be the other two non-EU players in the squad.
But Real Madrid do no longer have to make a decision between Bale or Rodrygo, so this ruling also comes as a relief for the Brazilian winger, who has yet to fulfil his potential at Los Blancos.
Militao will be Real Madrid‘s starting centre-back following the departures of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, while Carlo Ancelotti also has Vinicius in his plans and there was a serious risk of Rodrygo being left out of the squad, while Reinier Jesus and Take Kubo could also potentially compete for a non-EU slot if Vinicius is successful in obtaining a Spanish passport.
Rodrygo has hit the ground running in pre-season, as he scored Real Madrid‘s goal in their 2-1 defeat to Rangers in Scotland following a season in which he lacked consistency under former boss Zinedine Zidane.
After featuring for Real Madrid Castilla in his first term, Rodrygo was promoted to the first team but found himself behind Vinicius and Marco Asensio in Zidane‘s pecking order.
In fact, Rodrygo scored just two goals and provided eight assists in all competitions last season, but this year he will attempt to convince Ancelotti that he deserves a spot in the starting XI.
