Rodrygo is Karim Benzema's natural heir at Real Madrid - opinion
He played as a winger and a striker, and it is difficult to determine where he did best as he popped up everywhere on the pitch.
He was reminiscent of Karim Benzema at his best - something that has been happening more and more of late.
The second leg of the Champions League quarter-final was not the best night for Benzema, who was substituted before the end of the match.
However, there was another man who took charge of Madrid's attack: Rodrygo. In the absence of the French superstar, the young Brazilian took the baton and masterminded a prestigious victory.
The Champions League is the favourite competition of the Sao Paulo native, who has scored almost half of his goals as a Real Madrid player in the competition.
When his captain is not at his best, he steps up to perform his duties. That was the case against Chelsea and in many other games this season.
His 'father' in the team is Luka Modric, but the mirror in which he looks is Benzema. And the similarities are not limited to goals alone.
The way he plays reminds audiences more and more of the current Ballon d'Or holder. It doesn't matter what position he starts in, from the very first moment, it is clear that he will appear everywhere on the pitch to throw opposing defences off the scent.
Lending to his mobility he becomes undetectable. He goes down the centre of the pitch to receive the ball, links up with all his teammates, hits the flank like lightning and then appears in the box to finish off killer passes.
He is undetectable. He is a virtuoso on the ball with a footballing intelligence that is off the charts. Fortunately, he seems to have won the fans' approval from the outset, something that didn't happen for Benzema initially.
The great news for Real Madrid is that they don't need to look for Karim's successor away from home. Rodrygo is the natural heir to the former France international and he proves it whenever he gets the chance.
The two have a special chemistry and it is clear to see. It is because they understand football in the same way: as a thing to enjoy and to be enjoyed by others.
In a sport increasingly focused on physicality, wizards of the ball are in short supply. That's why we are grateful when, every now and then, a magician emerges to remind us that all is not lost.
That is this Brazilian. A generational talent, intelligent and playing alongside the best in the world, from whom he continually absorbs knowledge.
