Rodrygo followed in Vinicius Jr’s footsteps as the second teenage Brazilian attacker to join Real Madrid in two years.

However, the two players may be set for completely different roles at Real Madrid if Zinedine Zidane’s use of his most recent South American signing is anything to go by.

Rodrygo, who officially joined from Santos in a €45m deal earlier this summer, is ostensibly a wide forward by trade but was deployed in midfield for Real’s first preseason game against Bayern Munich on Sunday in a role similar to that of Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric.

While the match ended in a 3-1 defeat, 18-year-old Rodrygo turned heads with his energy from midfield in a performance book-ended by a fantastic free-kick.

Madrid, who play Arsenal on Tuesday night (GST 03:00 +1), have many options to choose from in attack – not least the prominently left-sided Vinicius – and Rodrygo says he’s adapted well to his potential new role.

“He’s asked me to play on the inside more,” Rodrygo said of Zidane’s plans for him per Marca. “I’m more used to moving around the flanks, but the coach wants me to do this.

“It’s a position I’m comfortable with and I like it.”