“The sky is the limit for Rodrygo,” says his former coach Jair Ventura

Rodrygo’s former coach in Santos, Jair Ventura, talked to MARCA and praised the young attacker after the hat-trick he scored in Real Madrid’s last home game against Galatasaray.

“I always said that Rodrygo would be one of the greatest players, I knew it, it was obvious. It’s not only me saying that, I think every coach he’s had know about his quality, he’s truly a fantastic kid. One day I was asked about his ceiling and I replied that the sky was the limit for him. It’s still like that. He’s just starting in Real Madrid and there are many good things to come and I’m sure he will become even better,” said Ventura.

Rodrygo is completing solid performances on Real Madrid’s right wing but Ventura revealed that his favorite spot is on the left flank.

“He started playing in the center but he liked to play on the left. I always talked to him and told him that he would need to adapt to other positions in the future because he would encounter players like Neymar in the Brazilian national team who play in that wing. What surprised me about him was how mature he always was, very serious, very professional even at a young age. Then I understood why that happened as soon as I met his family. They helped him a lot in that regard,” explains the Brazilian coach.

Ventura was also asked about Vinicius’ struggles and the comparisons between both young players.

“They have different skills. Vinicius is a fantastic talent, he has tremendous quality and many good things to do. He’s faster than Rodrygo in dribbles better past opponents, but Rodrygo is a bit more complete as a player. He can play in the center, he’s good on set pieces, he creates chances for his teammates with key passes, he finishes well and his left foot is brilliant. He’s just the complete package. It’s not that Vinicius isn’t a complete player but their skills are just very different. Vinicius dribbles better one on one and Rodrygo can be a bit more of a number 10 playing in all three positions of the offensive line. Vinicius Jr. is also a great player,” concluded Ventura.