AHEAD OF TIME? Rodrygo first admitted that he didn’t like playing in Madrid’s central offensive role, even if he has been asked to fill it on occasion. Eduardo Camavinga was the next to express his distaste for the left-back position, where he has performed admirably while filling in for injuries.

WHAT IT SAYS: “It’s always important to be able to play in different roles,” Rodrygo emphasized. I’ve always stated that, despite having to play number nine for my club, I don’t enjoy playing on the wings, even though I’m good at it. I can move all around the field with the national team, which has improved my game.”

Camavinga, for his part, has had enough of being questioned about it and says, “I get asked about it every day. I’m a player who contributes to the team when required. I had never heard of this position before, but I’ve gotten used to it with both Real Madrid and the French national team. But that’s not a position I particularly like. Everyone knows that, I believe, yet even though it’s not always enjoyable, I play there when I have to. I still play in the midfield.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Carlo Ancelotti’s famously unflappable nature coupled with both players emphasising they are happy to adapt for their team, means the comments are unlikely to cause too much of a ripple in Madrid. Rodrygo, though, would be well advised to keep his boss happy with Ancelotti almost certain to be his next manager at international level from next summer.

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WHAT NEXT FOR RODRYGO AND CAMAVINGA? Rodrygo will likely feature for Brazil in their World Cup qualifier against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay on Tuesday. Camavinga is gearing up for France’s friendly against Scotland in Lille on the same evening.