Would have solved No. 9 spot problem “Are Leeds still regretful of his departure” will Mateo Joseph really fit in his long term unoccupied space? Leeds United in confusion after former Spanish attacker who scored 28 Goals for the whites and sold for £3m now banging Goals for fun at recent Club.
The Spaniard had an up-and-down experience during his three-year stint at Leeds United, with injuries disrupting each season and his role in the team never quite solidifying under various managers. Initially used as a central or attacking midfielder by Marcelo Bielsa, Rodrigo lacked the physical presence to lead the line as a striker, which was crucial for Bielsa’s high-pressing style. However, despite this, his goal-scoring ability in the 2022/23 season couldn’t be ignored.
Rodrigo finished as Leeds’ top scorer that season, with 15 goals and two assists in 35 games, a significant achievement considering Leeds ended 19th in the Premier League and went through four different managers that year. His strong form earned him a call-up to the Spanish national team, with hopes of making the squad for the 2023/24 European Championships. However, he missed out on Spain’s eventual victory over England in Germany, and it seems his international career is likely over, despite having scored eight goals in 28 appearances over nine years.
Rodrigo departs Leeds United for Qatari club Al-Rayyan
Following Leeds’ relegation to the Championship, several first-team players were expected to leave, including Rodrigo, who had previously played at the highest levels, such as in the Champions League with Valencia. According to Phil Hay, Rodrigo’s release clause for his move to Al-Rayyan was set at around £3 million, a significant loss for Leeds, who had signed him for a club-record £27 million from Valencia in 2020.
At 33 and entering the final year of his contract, Leeds had little choice but to let him go. Rodrigo left Elland Road with 28 goals and five assists in 97 appearances, having also played in La Liga and with Benfica in Portugal.
Rodrigo’s progress in Qatar with Al-Rayyan
Since his move to Qatar, Rodrigo has adapted well, unsurprisingly, given the lower standard of the Qatar Stars League compared to the Premier League. In his first season with Al-Rayyan, he contributed to 18 goals in 21 games, scoring 12 and assisting six. He has been used primarily as a striker, though he has also played as a left-sided forward.
Despite this success, Rodrigo missed some games last season due to injury and a two-game suspension after receiving a red card just nine minutes into a match against Al-Sadd SC, which ended in a 4-0 defeat. Al-Rayyan finished second in the league, just two points behind Al-Sadd, qualifying for the 2024/25 AFC Champions League, Asia’s equivalent to the UEFA Champions League. This will see Rodrigo compete against stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi club Al Nassr.
This season, Rodrigo has played twice, captaining Al-Rayyan to a 3-1 win but has missed two matches as well. He has yet to score this season but will aim for a league and Champions League double.
Despite his solid performances in Qatar, Rodrigo has not been recalled to the Spanish national team since his move, signaling the likely end of his international career. However, he may be hopeful that his former Leeds teammate Mateo Joseph, who inherited his No.19 shirt, can continue to develop and succeed in his absence as Leeds push for promotion in the Championship.