Most football fans have forgotten about Rodrygo Goes, the star forward for Real Madrid. That is if they ever gave the forward his due in the first place.

The Spanish press gave the 2021/22 Champions League star the nickname “BMV,” but they left him off. They put him in the same category as Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior.

At the same time, the 23-year-old wasn’t included in the 30-person list of 2023–24 Ballon d’Or finalists. Even Barcelona legend Rivaldo called it an insult, which left many current and past stars confused.

Rodrygo is letting his play on the pitch speak for itself. He has started the 2024–25 La Liga season like a man on a mission, and the same is true for his start in the Champions League.

Against VfB Stuttgart, a young team from the Bundesliga, he set up the first goal in Real Madrid’s 3-1 win. This is his 12th assist in the Champions League since his debut in the competition in the 2019–20 season.

Rodrygo Goes now has 12 assists, more than his countryman Ronaldinho, who is known as one of the best playmakers of all time and a star at Barcelona. Ronaldinho had 11 assists in the Champions League during his career.

Does that mean Rodrygo is a greater football player than Ronaldinho? Without a doubt not. But it does mean that the 23-year-old is quietly leaving behind a legendary record for Real Madrid that deserves a lot more attention than it gets.