Rhino: Agencies – Ever since Kylian Mbappe’s approach to Real Madrid, reports have been predicting who would be his victim, but most of the predictions have always pointed to Rodrigo Joes.

While Rodrigo has played an important role in Real Madrid’s forward line in recent years, he has been a lesser player than his compatriot Vinicius Junior or England’s Jude Billingham.

Last season, with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti’s 4-4-2 formation, Rodrigo was the second striker alongside Vinicius.

Rodrigo made 51 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 17 goals and assisting 9 others.

Perhaps the Brazilian is under-appreciated in the Spanish media, or sometimes unfairly maligned, even though he has always been a crucial part of the Royals’ tournaments.

Rodrigo himself seems to have been angered by these reports, and even exploded after his goal against Real Mallorca in the opening game of La Liga, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Rodrigo wrote on his official WhatsApp channel: ‘Hello guys. Yesterday’s result wasn’t what we wanted in La Liga, every point makes the difference in the end’.

‘I’m happy with the goal and the growth of the team. Last week they talked about Billingham, Mbappe and Vinicius, but they’ll have to add Rodrigo’s R’.

‘We have an attacking quartet in addition to the rest of the team, and each one of them is important in games and will show their value in different competitions.’

Rodrigo Joyce deleted the message, sometime after it was posted on WhatsApp.

Nevertheless, Rodrigo is trusted by Ancelotti, who relies heavily on him in the line-up, while Ibrahim Diaz and Arda Güler sit on the bench, leaving Rodrigo in a more balanced position in the ‘oppressor and oppressed’ conflict within Real Madrid.