West Ham star Rodriguez has explained why he broke down in tears after the Old Trafford win.
Emotional Rodriguez Reveals Why He Broke Down in Tears After West Ham’s Win at Old Trafford
One of the most unexpected stories from West Ham’s 2-0 win over Manchester United came from Guido Rodriguez — and the Argentine midfielder has now shared the emotional reason he was in tears after the final whistle.
For much of this season, fans of both clubs have had little to cheer about, with poor performances and managerial uncertainty plaguing each side.
Heading into the match, West Ham sat 17th in the table, just two points behind Manchester United.
With both teams in desperate need of a lift, the pressure was high on managers Graham Potter and Ruben Amorim.
Manchester United, eyeing their upcoming Europa League final, rotated heavily. Surprisingly, so did West Ham.
But the biggest shock came with Potter naming Rodriguez — who had barely featured since joining from Real Betis — in the starting lineup.
The move angered some fans, especially as it meant striker Niclas Fullkrug was left on the bench.
Rodriguez, who had been frozen out since Potter’s arrival in January, started shakily, misplacing his first few touches and appearing off the pace.
But as the game progressed, he transformed into a commanding presence in midfield, becoming instrumental in West Ham’s first league win at Old Trafford in 18 years — a feat not achieved since Carlos Tevez’s famous heroics in 2007.
After the match, while emotional farewells played out for departing veterans Aaron Cresswell, Vladimir Coufal, and Lukasz Fabianski, Rodriguez had a powerful moment of his own in the dressing room — breaking down in tears.
Taking to Instagram, the 29-year-old explained the raw emotions behind his reaction.
Having grown up idolizing Manchester United and dreaming of one day playing at Old Trafford, the moment was deeply personal.
“It had been three months without playing,” Rodriguez wrote alongside a photo of himself in tears. “After so much perseverance and effort, today felt like a reward.
There were better days and worse days, but today I was able to let everything out.”
He continued: “Little Guido, who used to watch Premier League matches and Old Trafford games on Sunday mornings, would be proud of who he became, of what he achieved with determination.
He’d be proud of how much he enjoyed the process, how he cried after the game, and how he continues to chase his dreams.”
Despite his standout performance, Rodriguez is expected to leave West Ham this summer, with a return to his boyhood club River Plate rumored.
Still, after a difficult spell, he leaves with his head held high — having lived out a childhood dream and made a lasting impact in one of the club’s biggest wins of the season.
