Rodrygo was left out again on Wednesday night (Picture: Getty Images) Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso says his Real Madrid side were better off with ‘different players’ after benching Arsenal target Rodrygo for a fifth game in a row. The Brazil international’s future at the Spanish giants is looking increasingly bleak with the Gunners among the sides interested in signing him this summer. His prospects came under real doubt towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign but the arrival of Alonso at the Santiago Bernabeu appeared to repair the damage. Rodrygo started Real’s first match of their Club World Cup campaign in the United States, providing the assist in a 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal. But the 24-year-old has managed just 27 minutes of game time in the five games since then, left on the bench as an unused substitute for the third time as PSG thrashed Real in their semi-final clash on Wednesday night. It brings Real’s campaign in the US to an end and will immediate raise further questions over Rodrygo’s future at the club. Alonso has previously described leaving the player out as a ‘technical decision’, repeating those comments after tonight’s 4-0 defeat in New Jersey. Alonso watched his side beaten 4-0 against PSG (Picture: Getty Images) But with remarks that will only fuel speculation over Rodrygo’s exit, the Spaniard explained he thought his side would be ‘better off’ without the Brazilian in the team. ‘I didn’t play Rodrygo for a technical decision,’ Alonso said. ‘We thought we would be better off with other players. It’s not about his future’. Reports claim there is a growing expectation that Rodrygo could leave the club this summer with Real valuing him at €80million (£67m). Rodrygo’s representatives contacted a number of Premier League sides in May to determine whether they would be interested in pursuing a move. Alonso has left Rodrygo out of the starting XI in the last five games (Picture: Getty Images) While Mikel Arteta is a huge admirer, Cadena Ser reported last week Arsenal have, temporarily at least, halted contact with the player’s representatives. The Gunners are currently in talks to sign another winger in Chelsea’s Noni Madueke. Personal terms with the England international have agreed with Arsenal now negotiating a fee with Chelsea, who want £55m for the for their man.