Unless something unexpected happens, Rodrygo is set to be a pivotal figure for Real Madrid in his first major final. He faces Osasuna, the club where he made his debut and where he scored his first goal in white. This match could define a season already rich with chances, and for the Brazilian forward, it represents a crucial test of his leadership on a grand stage.
Real Madrid travels into this Saturday’s clash aiming to secure a trophy haul this season that already includes the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup. The Copa del Rey final against Osasuna stands as the last silverware Real Madrid can lift in this campaign, and Rodrygo emerges as the focal point of the team’s ambitions. This moment carries a special weight for him, given the personal history with Osasuna and the significance of turning potential into tangible results at the highest level.
Those around Rodrygo share a strong sense of anticipation and confidence as the final approaches. They describe him as intensely focused and perfectly tuned to the team’s schedule and demands. The message from insiders to the media highlights his readiness to convert late-season opportunities into decisive performances. They emphasize that now is the time for him to make a visible impact and help Real Madrid close the season with a notable achievement.
Since the semi-final first leg against Fútbol Club Barcelona, Rodrygo has become a non negotiable presence for coach Carlo Ancelotti. In the weeks following the international break, he has started nine of ten matches for the team, stepping in as a substitute only once due to a knee issue that briefly hindered his availability. The only match in which he did not start, he came on at halftime, a cautious move to protect his workload. Militao began all ten games alongside him, though a tactical substitution at halftime against Villarreal was used to preserve his minutes as well.
This season, Rodrygo has mirrored the impact of Vinicius Junior from the previous campaign. His goals and assists tally has grown, with 25 goals so far and 14 assists accompanying 11 assists, surpassing last season’s numbers when both metrics were lower. Even before the season ends, his contributions have elevated his status as a dependable option in the most demanding moments, a trait Real Madrid prizes deeply. His performances have delivered critical goals in key ties and have helped swing tightly contested ties in the team’s favour.
His most memorable moments have come when the clock was ticking. A decisive goal against Atlético in the Copa quarter-finals demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure. The second leg of the Barcelona semi-final witnessed a remarkable turnaround at Camp Nou, where he started the game trailing 0-1 and helped Real Madrid unseat the odds with a dramatic 0-2 result. He also stamped authority in Stamford Bridge, contributing to the team’s passage to the Champions League semi-finals with a composed, impactful display.
Rodrygo’s trajectory this season has been marked by gradual consistency. He did start in the Spanish Super Cup in 2022 against Athletic Bilbao, providing the assist that opened the scoring. Since then, his role has evolved from a squad member into a trusted starter, and the upcoming final could well be the moment that seals his standing as a core player for Real Madrid. The feeling within the club is that this match could be the first of many significant finals in which he plays a central role, a signal of the long-term importance he now carries for the team.
In the days leading up to the final, the sense of purpose around Rodrygo has been unmistakable. The team’s plans are built around his dynamic pace, technical comfort, and capacity to influence both ends of the pitch. When Real Madrid needs a breakthrough, he is the player who often delivers, whether with a decisive goal, a clever assist, or a sustained pressure that unlocks a stubborn defence. The promise of that moment in Osasuna’s wall of resistance adds urgency to every training session and every tactical discussion, as the team coordinates to maximize his strengths on a stage that demands excellence.
As the countdown to kickoff continues, the expectation is clear: Rodrygo will be asked to produce another standout performance in a final that matters deeply to the club and its supporters. For Real Madrid, this match is more than a trophy fight; it is a chance to showcase the young talent who has grown into a leader capable of driving outcomes in the most demanding situations. For Rodrygo, it is a defining opportunity to leave a lasting imprint on the club’s recent history and to demonstrate that his best football belongs on the biggest stages in world football.