Real Madrid will not release attacker Alvaro Rodriguez for the Under-20 World Cup with Uruguay.
Despite the player’s desire to compete in the tournament in Argentina from May 20 to June 11, Madrid want to keep the teenage prodigy for the season.
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“We received notification from Real Madrid that they will not be able to loan the player on the dates that were requested,” stated Marcelo Garcia, Uruguay’s national team youth program head. “We can’t do much, so we must focus and look forward.”
Rodriguez scored five goals to help Uruguay finish second to Brazil at the U20 South American Cup in Colombia earlier this year.
“We understand Alvaro is also important for Real Madrid,” Garcia remarked. Given his performance at the South American event, he is essential to us.
“Unfortunately, Uruguay coach Marcelo Broli will not be able to count on Alvaro… Even the footballer’s will.”
Rodriguez, 18, has played six times for Madrid this season, most recently as a late substitution in a 3-1 win over Espanyol on March 11.
Carlo Ancelotti affirmed Rodriguez’s promotion to the first team next season.
Rodriguez hopes to help Castilla, the club’s reserve squad, to the second tier of Spanish football.
Madrid had a busy month too. They play Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final on May 6 and are second in LaLiga with seven games left.
Next month’s Champions League semifinal pits Ancelotti’s team against Manchester City.
