Rodrigo, who joined Leeds from La Liga outfit Valencia in a £27m deal in 2020, moved to the Qatar Stars League in July 2023 after 97 appearances and 28 goals for the Whites. The terms of the deal were not announced at the time by Leeds, but his exit was confirmed following a relegation back to the Championship and was seen as important for the reduction of the wage bill. It was later revealed by ex-Leeds coach Karl Robinson that Rodrigo had played through significant pain in an attempt to help the club stave off the drop from the Premier League. Robinson told the YEP: “Seeing the pain Rodrigo played in, that man has gone up in my estimation so much. He was incredible.” The striker’s first season in the Middle East brought 12 goals from 21 appearances, though he was employed for a third of the time on the left wing rather than in his natural central position.
