Rodrygo is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Real Madrid in La Liga and the Brazil national team.
Renowned as one of the world’s top wingers, Rodrygo is celebrated for his speed, pressing ability, work ethic, dribbling skills, and finishing prowess.
Early life
Rodrygo Silva de Goes was born on January 9, 2001 in Osasco, São Paulo.
Career
odrygo joined Santos’ youth academy in 2011 at the age of ten, starting with the futsal team. Under the mentorship of the esteemed coach Barata, who also coached Neymar, Rodrygo traveled internationally with Santos to promote futsal, including a featured appearance in a YouTube video with City Futsal in Dallas, Texas. In March 2017, with the first team in Peru for a Copa Libertadores match, manager Dorival Júnior called him up to train with the senior squad.
Rodrygo signed his first professional contract on July 21, 2017, agreeing to a five-year deal. Promoted to the main squad by interim manager Elano on November 1, he made his Série A debut on November 4, 2017, as a late substitute against Atlético Mineiro. He scored his first senior goal on January 25, 2018, securing a late victory in a Campeonato Paulista match against Ponte Preta.
On March 1, 2018, Rodrygo debuted in the Copa Libertadores, becoming the youngest Santos player to appear in the competition at 17 years and 50 days old. Fifteen days later, he scored his first goal in the tournament with a solo effort against Nacional, making him the youngest Brazilian to score in the competition—a record later broken by Santos youth players Kaiky and Ângelo.
He netted his first goal in the Brazilian top tier on April 14, 2018, and on June 3, he scored a hat-trick and provided an assist in a commanding victory over Vitória. On July 26, 2018, Rodrygo changed his jersey number from 43 to 9, and for the 2019 season, he adopted number 11, previously worn by Neymar.
On June 15, 2018, Real Madrid agreed with Santos on Rodrygo’s transfer, scheduled for June 2019, with a contract running until 2025. The transfer fee was reportedly €45 million, with Santos receiving €40 million for their 80% stake in his rights.
Rodrygo made his Real Madrid debut on September 25, 2019, scoring his first league goal against Osasuna within a minute of entering the match. On November 6, he scored a hat-trick and provided an assist in a UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray, becoming the second youngest player to achieve a hat-trick in the competition and the first born in the 21st century to do so. In his debut season, he made 19 appearances and scored two goals, contributing to Real Madrid’s 2019–20 La Liga title. On November 3, 2020, he netted the winning goal in a Champions League game against Inter Milan.
On April 12, 2022, Rodrygo scored a crucial volley against Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals, helping Real Madrid advance to the semi-finals. He played a significant role in Real Madrid’s 35th La Liga title on April 30 by scoring twice against Espanyol. On May 4, he scored two late goals against Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals, leveling the tie and leading to an extra-time victory that propelled Real Madrid to the final, where they defeated Liverpool.
In the 2022–23 season, Rodrygo continued his impactful performances, scoring twice in a Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea on April 18, 2023, to secure a semi-final spot. On May 6, he scored two goals in the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna, earning Real Madrid their 20th title in the competition. On November 2, 2023, Real Madrid announced the extension of Rodrygo’s contract until June 30, 2028.
On the international stage, Rodrygo was called up to Brazil’s under-17 team on March 30, 2017, for the Montaigu Tournament, scoring in his debut against Denmark and adding two more goals against Cameroon and the United States. On March 7, 2018, he and teammate Yuri Alberto were called up to the under-20 team but were later withdrawn at Santos’ president’s request.
In November 2019, Rodrygo received his first call-up to the Brazil senior team for the Superclásico de las Américas against Argentina, debuting on November 15 by replacing Willian in the final 20 minutes. He was also named in the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on November 7, 2022.
Personal life
Rodrygo and Brazilian beautician Pamella Cristina Costa welcomed twin sons, Ravy and Rayan, in February 2022.
His father, Eric, is a former professional footballer who played as a right back in various levels of Brazilian football, with his highest achievement being in the Série B.
Net Worth
Undisclosed