La Liga: Rodrygo scores fastest debut goal for Real Madrid since Ronaldo

By scoring 93 seconds into his first La Liga appearance for Real Madrid, Rodrygo Goes made the quickest impact since Ronaldo in 2002.

Published : Sep 26, 2019 10:16 IST

Rodrygo Goes celebrates his Real Madrid goal against Osasuna.
Rodrygo Goes celebrates his Real Madrid goal against Osasuna.
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Rodrygo Goes celebrates his Real Madrid goal against Osasuna.

Rodrygo Goes became Real Madrid's quickest debut goalscorer in La Liga since Brazil icon Ronaldo when he wrapped up a 2-0 victory over Osasuna on Wednesday.

Rodrygo, signed by Madrid for a reported €45 million in June 2018 but loaned back to Santos for a year, took just 93 seconds to score on his first appearance for Los Blancos.

The Brazilian 18-year-old replaced Vinicius Junior, who had broken the deadlock, in the 71st minute and opened his account by dribbling in from the left and curling a fine finish into the far corner of the net.

It was the fastest a Madrid player had scored on its league debut since Ronaldo, who needed just 62 seconds to strike against Deportivo Alaves in 2002.

Rodrygo dismisses Ronaldo comparisons

Rodrygo dismissed comparisons to Ronaldo after marking his Real Madrid debut with a goal and has no interest in being compared to Ronaldo, who is regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all-time.

"I don't want any comparisons with Ronaldo being made because he's one of the game's all-time best and one of my country's best," he told reporters. "As for the goal… I controlled it well and knew that from there on in things would work out. I have to always show that I'm capable of playing here."

READ | Real Madrid and Atletico warm up for city derby with victories

Rodrygo's goal sealed Madrid's win after a 20-yard stunner from Vinicius Junior had put them ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu.

After a goal on debut, Rodrygo said it was a dream come true, while also praising coach Zinedine Zidane.

"The gaffer knows what he's doing and he's been talking to me every day to tell me to keep working hard," the former Santos forward said.

"I'm at Real Madrid and I don't care whether I play for Castilla, under Raul, or for the first team. Madrid are always going to have great players, so all of this prestige is to be expected.

"I'm so happy. Zidane transmits a real calmness and a lot of trust and I think that's why things went so well. I'm speechless, I've been dreaming of this moment since I joined Real Madrid and running out at the Bernabeu with the fans chanting my name… I'm so happy."

Meanwhile, Vinicius was also delighted to get on the scoresheet, netting for Madrid for the first time since February.

"The players know that I was trying hard and there's nothing better than getting back amongst the goals before a derby," he said, via the club's website.

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"It's an honour to speak with Roberto Carlos and I'm happy because he congratulated me. I'm very happy to score again at the Bernabeu.

"I'm excited because since my injury it's been difficult, I was finding it hard playing again and I wasn't doing well in games. I wasn't as happy as last season and it's a massive weight off my shoulders. I'm very happy when I'm scoring goals."

A point clear atop the La Liga table, Madrid face Atletico in the derby on Saturday.

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