?Real Madrid winger Rodrygo Goes will be suspended for Sunday’s visit of Barcelona after picking up a bizarre red card while with club’s reserve side.
The Brazilian joined up with countryman Reinier Jesus to feature in Sunday’s 2-0 win over SS Reyes, and he certainly made an impact. He netted a stunning late goal to seal the victory, but then chose to celebrate in the face of the goalkeeper. The referee booked him for it, and as he had already been shown a yellow card earlier in the game, he was given his marching orders.
As noted by ?Marca, he must now serve a domestic suspension which means he will be banned from featuring in El Clásico.
He had been touted to return to Zinedine Zidane’s senior side for the game following ?news of Eden Hazard’s latest foot injury, but he instead will have to watch from the sidelines as a result of his actions.
?Hazard is expected to miss several months after re-aggravating the hairline fracture which has plagued his season, so there will likely be plenty of other opportunities for Rodrygo, but with La Liga on the line and Real’s form dipping…bad.
He will be free to feature in Wednesday’s ?Champions League clash with ?Manchester City, but will then have to return to the sidelines.
Rodrygo has managed 18 appearances for ?Real this season, racking up seven goals and two assists in all competitions in an impressive debut campaign at the Santiago Bernabéu.
However, minutes have not always been easy to come by. Zidane has often turned to the likes of Vinícius Júnior, Isco and Lucas Vázquez instead, and he will have to do so once more on Sunday as a result of Rodrygo’s suspension.
The game looks set to be pivotal in ?La Liga’s title race. ?Barcelona currently sit top of the table with a two-point lead over Los Blancos, so the upcoming game could go a long way to deciding who finishes on top.
For more from Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!
Let’