It’s not easy to find a place in the traffic jam of the Brazilian attack, with Neymar, Rafinha, Antony, Vinicius, Gabriel Jesus and Richardson, who play in big European clubs and all claim a place in the Auriverde eleven. But apart from the inevitable “Ney”, the other offensive positions are likely to vary over the needs and opponents. And despite his young age, Rodrygo (21) could well do well.
“We saw him play as a false N.9 or as a N.10, like Neymar at Real Madrid, with the ability to play left and right”analyzes Matheus Bachi, son and deputy of Tite in the Brazilian framework. “He’s a wild card, but a wild card that performs all those functions very well.” The football world got a glimpse of his versatility when Carlo Ancelotti, his coach in Madrid, repositioned him at the heart of the game, in support of the French center forward Karim Benzema, away from the wings where this dribbler had the habit of shining.
“Modern Footballer”
“He is a very special striker, who can play in all positions”praised the experienced Italian technician, who sees him as a “modern footballer”. “He’s quick and smart off the ball, and effective in one-on-ones.” This season, he has scored seven goals and provided five assists in 18 matches for Real, Spanish Championship and Champions League combined. In Brazil, fans of Santos, the Sao Paulo club which saw “King” Pelé and then Neymar shine, remember Rodrygo’s flashes very well. The right-hander played as a playmaker in the youth categories before migrating to the left wing on his professional debut in 2017. But it was Neymar’s favored position at the time and Santos’ then-coach , Jair Ventura, had encouraged Rodrygo to work on other positions to hope for a place in the Brazilian team. Some months later, he signed with Real Madrid for an estimated transfer fee of 45 million eurosjoining the Spanish giant in the summer of 2019, where he has since flourished.
Over the course of Brazil’s preparation camp this week in Turin, observers have fueled the hypothesis that Rodrygo (7 caps, 1 goal) will be on the pitch at the Lusail stadium next Thursday when they enter the fray against Serbia. For example as a first substitute, ahead of more experienced players like Everton Ribeiro, 33. Thursday, during the penultimate training of the Brazilians in Italy, the Madrid striker occupied the position of playmaker, Neymar style, within the team of substitutes. “I feel comfortable in all attacking positions”commented Rodrygo at the end of the session. “I have already played as N.10 in the youth categories and lately my coaches have aligned me more in this position. We already have a N.10 here, Neymar, but for the future, who knows? I will train to become a specialist“he promises.