Real Madrid secured their goal in the group stage of the Club World Cup after a commanding 3-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg. Under the guidance of first-time coach Xabi Alonso, the team finished top of Group H and now awaits their Round of 16 opponent: Juventus.

The Whites started the tournament with some uncertainty, especially after a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal, but quickly found their rhythm, delivering solid performances led by key players such as Federico Valverde, Vinícius Jr., and the young talent Arda Güler. However, not all news is positive for the Madrid side.

Farewell hinted? Rodrygo, the player questioned by Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid

One of the hot topics among Madrid fans has been the underwhelming performance of Rodrygo Goes in this competition. The Brazilian winger, who started in the first game, has gradually lost prominence. In the following matches, he was relegated to the bench and did not play against Salzburg.

Commentator and analyst Maldini didn’t hold back: “Watch what’s happening with Rodrygo. He started as a starter in the first match but hasn’t appeared since. If he doesn’t get any minutes and the games are practically decided... the one who’s ‘sentenced’ is him. I think Madrid will have to consider finding him a way out.”

This statement reflects the uncertainty surrounding Rodrygo’s future at the club, sparking one of the most intense debates among fans and management alike.

Meanwhile, the team continues preparations for the Round of 16 clash against Juventus set for Monday in Miami. The starters from the last win did recovery work without the ball, while the substitutes completed more intense sessions with defensive and attacking drills, small-sided games, and shooting practice.

Kylian Mbappé is also steadily increasing his training load as he recovers from acute gastroenteritis suffered last week. The French star has yet to make his debut in this edition of the Club World Cup but could feature against Juventus.

Real Madrid draws large crowds in the group stage

According to official FIFA data, three of the five highest-attended matches in the group stage featured Real Madrid. Their games against Al Hilal, Pachuca, and Salzburg attracted crowds exceeding 60,000 spectators across various U.S. venues.

The most attended match was PSG vs. Atlético de Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, with over 80,000 fans. Total attendance during the group stage reached 1,667,819, averaging nearly 35,000 per game, although some matches had low turnout, such as Ulsan vs. Mamelodi in Orlando with just 3,142 spectators.

With qualification to the knockout rounds secured, Real Madrid and its key players will now aim to maintain their form and progress deeper into the tournament, while the future of players like Rodrygo remains a subject of speculation and expectation.