Pep Guardiola reveals details of secret conversation with Real Madrid star Rodrygo | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed the nature of a behind-the-scenes conversation with Real Madrid star Rodrygo in Spain this week.

City came from behind to secure a monumental 2-1 triumph in the Spanish capital on Wednesday evening that takes them one step closer to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, with Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland on the scoresheet for Guardiola’s side.

The Blues fell to an early deficit as Rodrygo finished neatly past Gianluigi Donnarumma to round off a silky Real Madrid counter attack, with questions asked of O’Reilly’s positioning and whether Donnarumma could have done better to prevent the opener.

However, Manchester City responded well and entered the interval with a deserved advantage to go on and see off one of their favourite and most regular opponents in the UEFA Champions League in recent times.

Speaking after Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, Guardiola revealed to Spanish broadcaster Movistar that he had piled on the praise for Rodrygo in a personal conversation with the Brazilian forward.

“I told Rodrygo how good he is. He’s a player from another… this boy is a player from another level,” Guardiola said in lavish praise for the 24-year-old.

Rodrygo was heavily linked with a sensational transfer to Manchester City in August amid uncertainties over the winger’s prospects under newly-appointed Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti this summer.

City had also identified Rodrygo as the ideal replacement for Savinho, who was open to leaving the club amid strong interest from Tottenham, though neither transfer materialised as the summer transfer window went on.

Rodrygo is rated very highly by Guardiola, with reports around the recent UEFA Champions League clash indicating that the Manchester City manager has wanted to add the Brazilian superstar to his frontline for many years.

“I’m glad he’s back from injury. He’s very, very good,” Guardiola added on Rodrygo, as translated and relayed by Mail Sport.

Manchester City – led by sporting director Hugo Viana – are expected to retain a close eye on Rodrygo’s future in Spain when they build their new-look squad further in the transfer windows to come, starting with January 2026.

The Blues cannot realistically rely on Haaland to provide the goods largely by himself as the years go on – so Viana and co could test Real Madrid’s resolve to keep hold of Rodrygo should there emerge an opening in the market for the forward at some point.