Maracanã feat: Puma Rodríguez dedicates goal to ill father | OneFootball

Right-back Puma Rodríguez experienced an emotional night at the Maracanã as he scored the goal that sealed Vasco’s 3-1 win over Fluminense and secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil. Shortly after the final whistle, the Uruguayan revealed that he has been going through a difficult time off the field. His father, José Luis Rodríguez, suffered a heart attack on July 25 and remains hospitalized in serious condition in the ICU.

The player learned of the heart attack after the draw with Mirassol, when his mother contacted him to inform him about the emergency hospitalization. Since then, the defender has been splitting his routine between training and daily visits to the hospital to follow his father’s clinical progress. The club made its football department available to excuse him from matches, but the player insisted on remaining with the squad.

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Support from the squad and emotion in the Maracanã locker room

The celebration of Vasco’s third goal saw virtually the entire coaching staff and the substitute players run onto the pitch to embrace the No. 2. The collective celebration reflected the group’s support for the personal ordeal the player has been facing behind the scenes. In the locker room, the defender became emotional again while speaking to the group and thanking them for the support he received.

In an interview in the mixed zone, the full-back highlighted his family member’s strength in the recovery process and praised the affection shown by fans and teammates. The victory and qualification in the national tournament brought an emotional lift to the group amid their teammate’s delicate situation. The player reaffirmed his confidence in his father’s recovery before returning to CT Moacyr Barbosa.

Vasco’s top scorers in the 2026 season

With the ball hitting the net in the 54th minute of the second half, Puma Rodríguez reached the mark of six goals this season. The number puts the Uruguayan at the top of Vasco’s scoring chart this year, alongside forwards Claudio Spinelli and Thiago Mendes.

The full-back’s attacking output has been decisive in the knockout matches for the team coached by Pedro Emanuel. The squad now turns its focus to the next competitions, counting on the player’s presence on the right flank.

Puma Rodríguez celebrates the team’s third goal – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.