Real Madrid v Man City: Reluctant gamechanger Rodrygo could return to haunt Pep

The Brazilian excels in cup competitions but his role as Carlo Ancelotti’s impact player has led to friction at times

The cover of Tuesday's AS: The Magician v The Machine. Vinicius v Haaland

WHEN Rodrygo Goes scored the winning goal in the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna on Saturday night, he headed to one corner, embraced his teammates and then made an 'i' with his fingers. Few spotted it and fewer understood the meaning, at least not yet, but somewhere in that sea of white where everyone was going wild was a small boy sitting alongside his dad who knew. Down there on the pitch, it was his celebration the Brazilian was doing.

Ignacio is eight and has just completed a cycle of chemotherapy as he recovers from Hodgkin’s disease. Rodrygo had first spoken to him in February through a charity called Juegaterapia dedicated to children with cancer, and had been to see him two days before the final, challenging him to a game of Fifa on the console. Ignacio had warned Rodrygo he was going to get beaten and when he scored, the i followed. Now it was Rodrygo’s turn.