Barca did not go for the new sensation at Real Madrid
Alvaro Rodriguez was a name they were aware of when he was at Girona
His breakthrough at El Sadar left everyone stunned. It was just 10 minutes and the game was broken, yes, but it was enough to see that Álvaro Rodriguez has the makings to become a great player. Special. He stands out for his physique (1.93 metres), for being apparently a little uncoordinated, but for having great ball skills and agility. After coming out on top at the South American U-20 Championship, the 'Toro' - bull - wants to break down the door of the first team, who signed him in the summer of 2020 from Girona. In fact, he was born in Palamós, so why did Barça, who have such a firm grip on Catalan grassroots football, overlook him?
As SPORT have been able to learn, Barça did have him monitored. Several of the scouts who work (or worked) for Barça alerted the sports department of Barça's grassroots football about a diamond with an imposing physique who stood out in the Cadete A side at Girona. The boy was just 15 years old at the time, but he was already very lanky. He's the son of former Palamós player Daniel 'Coquito' Rodríguez. A striker with similar characteristics to his son who finished his career in the city of Empordà and put down roots there.
He created a club, Global Palamós, and Álvaro played there until he was 12 years old. Girona took notice of him and in the Catalan club's youth team he grew exponentially. Especially in his last year. Precisely that season, 2019/20, was the one with the greatest evolution of the boy, who was already a 'tower', but he had to gain coordination. And in that year he exploded, obviously, came the offers and the big clubs calling. Among them, Madrid, who have an big recruitment network in Catalonia.
The fact is that, as we mentioned, the sporting directors of La Masia were alerted about the player. Girona made him an offer: a professional contract and a Youth A contract despite being a first-year player. But Madrid came in strongly and convinced him. It also helped that both the boy and his father, 'Coquito', are madridistas. They left some cash behind at Montilivi and took a player whose evolution has been meteoric at Valdebebas. In his second season he already played 17 games with Raúl's Castilla: netting four goals and delivering four assists.
He made his long-awaited debut with the first team a few days ago, with a stunning 10 minute show. Ancelotti has already warned that he will have more opportunities. Even more so with the void that Los Blancos have up top when Benzema is not there.
