Real Madrid forward, Rodrygo Silva de Goes has revealed he rejected a sumptuous € 3 million deal with Liverpool in 2017 when he was in his element in Santos, Brazil.
The Brazilian forward made this revelation in an interview with Thiago Rabelo of the Guardian in the build-up to their most anticipated European clash with the defending champions Manchester City on Tuesday night.
Rodrygo revealed he denied the deal because his desire to stay at Santos was impervious despite the deal being a favorable one. He chose to stay at Santos and write his name in history which he proudly did.
“It had always been my dream to play in Europe. Everything was very good, but my desire spoke louder. I wanted to stay at Santos and make a bit of history at the club. And that’s what happened: I was able to fulfill my dream of playing for Santos. But it’s true, I almost went to Liverpool” he said.
He revealed that the English side tabled a bid of €3 million euros as well as a career-defining outline where he would finish his studies in England en route to his European career but he said no.
“We didn’t close the deal because I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good. The pathway they promised me would also have been very good for my career. I was going to finish my studies in England to prepare for European football” he said
The Madrid forward has made a name for himself after moving to Bernabeu two years after denying the Liverpool move. His miraculous brace which brought Manchester City’s Champions League dream in 2022 in tatters led them to thrash Liverpool in the final and added to their haul of Champions League trophies.
In the interview, he admitted his two critical goals against City in the Champions League semi-final in 2022 changed his life as the spotlight turned on him, and became a target of the city defenders.
“Today I feel that when I get close to the area, the defenders pull me back, mark me, watch me. I get annoyed by this because I never get free, without a defender with me, anymore. Sometimes a teammate is in the area and nobody goes to mark him because they’re on me.” He remarked
“That game changed a lot of things in my life. My status in football changed a lot after those two goals. People started looking at me with different eyes. The two goals were a step forward in my career.” he said.
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Story by Richmond Ampofo