Daily: Real Madrid tried unsuccessfully to sign Elche youngster Mendoza in January, but the players regard Messi as their idol

Football     1:50pm, 1 November 2025

According to the "Daily Sports" report, in January this year, Real Madrid tried to sign Elche youngster Rodrigo Mendoza (Rodrigo Mendoza), but due to failed contract negotiations, the deal ultimately failed to take place.

Mendoza is only 20 years old and wears jersey No. 30, which was the jersey number Messi wore when he first entered football. Mendoza has idolized Messi since he was a child. He likes to dribble people on the court, and then gradually transformed into a midfielder. Hailing from Murcia, he is a shining star of the Elche youth academy and has become an indispensable member of the team.

Although he failed to get many playing opportunities at the end of last season due to contract extension issues, coach Edel Sarabia has always been confident in Mendoza. Mendoza also had the opportunity to join other European clubs such as Como and Leipzig, but he ultimately chose to stay in Elche and pursue his La Liga dream. He performed well in the team this season and even scored a goal in the King's Cup, earning high praise from the coach. Now, he has renewed his contract with Elche until 2026, and the future is full of infinite possibilities. The Elche club know that they have a player with great potential, whose style is very similar to that of Barcelona.

This weekend's game against Barcelona is of special significance to Mendoza, because this team is not only the place where his idol Messi once played, but also the team where his role model Pedri currently plays. In addition to his football talent, he is also a man who attaches great importance to family and correct values, which also brings him closer to becoming a future superstar.

 

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