OPINION: Real Madrid's Rodrygo is proving he is Karim Benzema's natural heir
The second leg of the Champions League quarter-final was not the best night for Karim Benzema who ended up being substituted before the end of the game.
However, there was another man who took charge of Real Madrid's attack: Rodrygo. In the absence of the French star, 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 (37), 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.
Thanks to his mobility he becomes undetectable. He goes down the centre of the pitch to receive, links up with all his teammates, runs down 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 a way to improve the lives of those who see them touch the ball.
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 wizard of the ball 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.