“I Underrated Him”: Real Madrid Star Rodrygo Names the ONE Arsenal Player Who Shocked Him with a Warrior-Like Performance in Thrilling Encounter — and It’s Not Lewis Skelly
In a post-match revelation that has sent waves through the football community, Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes has openly admitted that he made a serious mistake—underestimating an Arsenal player who completely changed his perception after tonight’s clash. In a fiercely contested pre-season showdown between Spanish giants Real Madrid and Premier League contenders Arsenal, all eyes were expected to be on the usual suspects: Saka, Bellingham, Ødegaard, and perhaps even the rising talents like Ethan Nwaneri or Myles Lewis-Skelly.
But Rodrygo, with brutal honesty and a touch of awe in his voice, dropped a bombshell in his post-match interview.
“At first I underrated him,” Rodrygo confessed. “I didn’t know he was this good—not until I met him tonight. He’s indeed a warrior, and he was the only Arsenal player that really gave me a tough time tonight.”
Speculations swirled quickly. Was he talking about the young sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly? Many would assume so, given the attention the teenager has been receiving recently. But Rodrygo shut down the rumors almost instantly.
“Not Lewis Skelly,” he clarified. “It was him—he didn’t give me a single inch to breathe, let alone space to penetrate. He was everywhere I turned. Aggressive, smart, disciplined—he was a complete nightmare for me all game long.”
While Rodrygo didn’t name the player outright in his initial comments, Arsenal fans and pundits alike quickly began to connect the dots. Based on the match dynamics, it’s widely believed that the player in question is Jurrien Timber, the Dutch defender who joined Arsenal from Ajax with a solid reputation—but perhaps not the global superstar label yet.
Timber, known for his tenacity, technical ability, and incredible reading of the game, was deployed in a hybrid role that saw him shut down Real Madrid’s right flank for most of the match. Rodrygo, a player celebrated for his explosive dribbling, clever movement, and devastating pace, was kept unusually quiet throughout the evening—thanks in large part to the relentless pressure and positional awareness of Timber.
Fans noticed it. Analysts noticed it. And now, Rodrygo himself has confirmed what many were thinking: Timber is no joke.
Social media exploded with reactions from Arsenal fans, who praised Timber’s performance and shared Rodrygo’s quote across platforms.
“He’s a warrior” quickly became a trending phrase among Arsenal supporters, as they celebrated the defender’s tenacity and his ability to stand firm against one of Europe’s most dangerous wingers.
It’s not every day a Real Madrid attacker praises a defender so openly, especially one he had seemingly overlooked. But tonight’s performance wasn’t just a wake-up call for Rodrygo—it was a statement to the football world.
Arsenal’s backline, often criticized for its inconsistency in previous seasons, now seems to be shaping into a fortress, and Timber’s influence can’t be ignored. His ability to transition seamlessly between defense and midfield, coupled with his fearless approach, has earned him admiration not only from fans but from opponents as well.
If tonight was any indication, Jurrien Timber might just be Arsenal’s most underrated weapon heading into the new season. And as Rodrygo now knows, underestimating him comes at a heavy price.