RODRYGO has been suspended for Real Madrid’s crunch El Clasico clash against Barcelona after being sent off for a cocky goal celebration the B team.
The Brazilian forward, 19, was given his marching orders while playing for Real Madrid Castilla – their B team – at the weekend.
Rodrygo is suspended for El Clasico after being sent off for a cocky celebration during a Real Madrid Castilla game
Rodrygo had scored an impressive goal against SS Reyes in the Spanish third tier when he let arrogance get the better of him.
The youngster finished off a superb solo effort with a lovely chipped effort.
But rather than let his feet do the talking, the Brazilian winger got up in the opposition goalkeeper’s face and taunted him.
The referee immediately showed Rodrygo a second yellow card, meaning he will now miss one domestic game.
It’s a huge blow for Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane too, who was almost certain to have Rodrygo feature at some stage.
Los Blancos have dropped five points in a week to hand Barcelona the advantage in LaLiga, most-recently losing 1-0 to Levante.
With Karim Benzema out of form, Zidane could only watch as Eden Hazard picked up another nasty ankle injury.
Real Madrid will now be left worryingly thin in attack for the huge top-of-the-table six-pointer at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
Rodrygo has started eight LaLiga games this term – as well as three Champions League starts – scoring seven times in all.
But he has failed to feature in any of the past four matchday squads, with Zidane happy for him to develop with the Castilla side he once managed.
Rodrygo will be eligible to face Manchester City in the Champions League last-16 first-leg clash midweek, with his ban only applying to domestic matches.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
