The Brazil youngster remembers his tough World Cup memories ahead of his side’s first game in Qatar.
Rodrygo hopes Brazil can end their 20-year wait to reclaim the World Cup trophy.
Since winning the World Cup in 2002, the Selecao have failed to reach a World Cup final. Despite seeing a host of top-class talents playing for them in different positions, Brazil lacked enough edge to emulate their 2002 campaign.
Writing for the Player’s Tribune ahead of Brazil’s first game in the 2022 World Cup, Rodrigo hoped his side could end their disappointing run in Qatar.
“Man, we’ve been suffering for 20 years. I was crying when we lost in 2006,” he wrote.
“In 2010, I was in Osasco seeing people paint the streets green and yellow. Nobody was working. School? Forget it. It’s not that I skipped school. There was no school. Even the teachers had fled.
“In 2014, I watched it with my dad in Minas Gerais. I prefer not to talk about it. I’m not even going to say the result.”
Since joining Real Madrid in 2019, the Brazil international has established a reputation as a “super sub” at Santiago Bernabeu.
The 21-year-old delivers in the most crucial moments, a quality which could help Brazil claim their sixth World Cup trophy.
Rodrygo and co will kick off their campaign with a match against Serbia on Thursday.