Rodrygo 'doesn't want to play for Real Madrid again over an issue involving Jude Bellingham'... in split that could spark Premier League transfer battle

Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo has decided he does not want to play for the club again due to an issue involving Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.

The Brazilian, 24, refused to play during Sunday's huge El Clasico clash at the Nou Camp after expressing his desire to leave the club in the summer.

Real Madrid's 4-3 defeat by Barcelona took the Catalans within touching distance of the LaLiga title, having chalked up a seven point lead over their bitter rivals with just three games to play.

With Los Blancos set to enter a new era after Carlo Ancelotti's appointment as the manager of Brazil on Monday, Rodrygo is eager to follow his manager out the door — putting top clubs around Europe on high alert ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to Marca, the media explosion surrounding Bellingham and Mbappe has led to Rodrygo feeling displaced at the Bernabeu, with the forward having once hoped to share the leading role alongside fellow Brazilian Vinicius Jr.

Bellingham, who signed for Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023, quickly enamoured himself in the eyes of Spanish media with a superb debut campaign at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo has decided he does not want to play for the club again

The Brazilian feels displaced by the media explosion surrounding team-mate Jude Bellingham

The arrival of Kylian Mbappe (right) has also reportedly caused a rift with Vinicius Jr (left)

Mbappe, meanwhile, arrived at Real Madrid last summer as one of the most high-profile stars in world football and has had a stellar individual season with 38 goals across all competitions, even if his side look destined not to lift a major trophy.

The Spanish newspaper reports that Mbappe's arrival has also caused a rift with Vinicius Jr, who was the face of the club prior to teaming up with the Frenchman.

The arrivals of Bellingham and Mbappe have not only diverted the media's attention away from the likes of Rodrygo — they have also forced Ancelotti into a tactical reshuffle this campaign.

While attempting to find the perfect formula for his raft of superstars, Ancelotti saw a decline in his team's performance on the pitch compared to last season, with Bellingham initially dropping deeper and Rodrygo shifting wider to accommodate for Mbappe through the middle in attack.

As the season rumbled on, Ancelotti appeared to find his preferred starting XI without the inclusion of Rodrygo, omitting the Brazilian during important matches to run with a front three of Vinicius Jr, Bellingham and Mbappe.

Finding the ideal tactical balance next season is a task set to fall upon the shoulders of Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, whose expected appointment at the Bernabeu is set to be announced imminently.

Rodrygo is reportedly 'very angry' and has confined himself to his own home following his decision not to feature in El Clasico.

The 24-year-old star has played for Real Madrid since 2019, chalking up over 250 appearances for the club following his move from Santos.

Carlo Ancelotti's exit was confirmed on Monday, with the Italian to become manager of Brazil

Rodrygo desire to leave has sparked a Premier League transfer battle, with Pep Guardiola's Man City and Mikel Arteta's Arsenal among those to have expressed interest in the Brazilian

The Brazilian's decision to leave the Bernabeu will spark a huge transfer battle across Europe and particularly in the Premier League, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City all having expressed interest in the forward over the last few months.

Should a move to the Premier League materialise this summer, Rodrygo would arrive with a rich portfolio of trophies under his belt, having won the Champions League twice, LaLiga three times and the Copa del Rey once during his time in Spain.

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