Rodrygo Wants to Stay at Real Madrid After Interest from Other Clubs 

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #11 Rodrygo looks on during a press conference at the Ethiad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England on February 10, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against Manchester City. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #11 Rodrygo looks on during a press conference at the Ethiad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England on February 10, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against Manchester City. (AFP)
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Rodrygo Wants to Stay at Real Madrid After Interest from Other Clubs 

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #11 Rodrygo looks on during a press conference at the Ethiad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England on February 10, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against Manchester City. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #11 Rodrygo looks on during a press conference at the Ethiad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England on February 10, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against Manchester City. (AFP)

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo said he is grateful for the interest from other clubs but wants to stay with the LaLiga side for many years to come.

Rodrygo has scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 31 games for Real across all competitions this season and the 24-year-old Brazilian was reportedly the recipient of lucrative mid-season offers from other clubs.

"The terms of the offers, that's more of my father's job, who is my agent, and the club. I do not know much about the details. I am very grateful that there is interest from other clubs," Rodrygo told reporters on Monday.

"I am really happy here. I have been here for a long time. I always say, playing with this shirt in the Champions League is most special."

Rodrygo's current deal with Real runs until 2028. Germany ($295.7 million), Italy ($223.8 million), France ($209.7 million) and Saudi Arabia ($202.1 million) completed the list of the top five countries for their clubs' January spending.

Real Madrid face Manchester City away on Tuesday in the first leg of their knockout playoff after both clubs failed to qualify automatically for the last 16 under the Champions League's new format.



Arsenal Closes the Gap on Liverpool after 1-0 Win against Chelsea in Premier League

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
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Arsenal Closes the Gap on Liverpool after 1-0 Win against Chelsea in Premier League

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)

Mikel Merino led Arsenal to a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Merino's first-half header settled the London derby at the Emirates Stadium and saw second-placed Arsenal move within 12 points of leader Liverpool.

In another all-London clash, Fulham beat Tottenham 2-0.

Arsenal's title hopes have faded in recent weeks, but it closed the gap on Liverpool, which was playing Newcastle in the English League Cup final later in the day.

Merino rose in the 20th minute to flick Martin Odegaard's near post corner beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. It was enough to secure a first league win for Mikel Arteta's team since February 15.

Defeat for fourth-placed Chelsea means it missed the chance to extend its one-point lead over Manchester City in fifth and boost its chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Arsenal, on 58 points, is 10 clear of four time defending champion City.

Spurs blow

Another setback for Tottenham is likely to increase the pressure on coach Ange Postecoglou heading into the international break.

Spurs, in 14th, have only won one of their last five in all competitions and this was a 15th league defeat of the season.

Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham the lead in the 78th at Craven Cottage and Ryan Sessegnon doubled the home team's lead 10 minutes later.

Fulham is eighth and four points behind Chelsea in the race for a Champions League place.