Rodrigo Dias hails team effort after Vasco’s first U20 Brasileiro title | OneFootball

Rodrigo Dias praised the format of the Brasileirão U-20Credits: Joilson Marconne /CBF

Vasco’s first-ever Brazilian U-20 title was described by Rodrigo Dias as the result of work that goes far beyond the players and coaching staff. The club’s general manager of youth development praised the team’s journey to the title and shared the credit with the professionals who are part of the club’s youth academy structure.

Before speaking about the title, Rodrigo made a point of thanking the club’s leadership and highlighted the support received throughout the season.

"Before anything else, we have to give all the honor and all the glory to God. I want to thank our president Pedrinho, our directors Felipe, Ademar, Fred, for the support and the guidance in our work," he said.

The achievement carried even more weight after a start to the season marked by elimination in the second round of the Copa São Paulo. Vasco responded to that result, finished second in the first phase of the Brasileirão U-20, and advanced through the knockout rounds until reaching the final against Palmeiras.

"We came off a setback, going out in the second round of the Copa São Paulo, and then we came together, leaders emerged, and we managed to do well, finishing second in the group stage and getting through the quarterfinals and semifinals, culminating in the national title," said Rodrigo.

The executive also emphasized the scale of the structure needed to sustain the club’s youth development work. According to him, around 150 staff members and more than 400 athletes are involved in Vasco’s youth system.

"Everyone deserves congratulations. There’s a lot of work behind this. There are 150 staff members, more than 400 athletes in Vasco’s youth academy. Our goal is to provide players for the first team," he said.

For Rodrigo, the title can also help with the players’ transition to professional football. He cited Ramon Henrique, who is already part of the first-team squad and could not take part in the final, as an example of the broader objective of the work done in the youth ranks.

"One product of this competition is Ramon Henrique himself, who is with the first team and couldn’t be here with us. Obviously, these titles help players move up to the first team with more confidence and greater solidity," he said.

Rodrigo also used the occasion of the title to praise the CBF’s organization of the Brasileirão U-20. In the executive’s view, the calendar and structure of the competition allow young players to face a level of demand increasingly close to what they will encounter in professional football.

"We also need to congratulate the CBF. It has done an extraordinary job through Júlio Avellar [CBF competitions director], organizing the competitions, guaranteeing a minimum of 19 rounds and, for those who reach the final, as was our case, playing 25 matches of the highest level," he said.

The executive also drew attention to the atmosphere at the two legs of the final. The first match was played at São Januário in front of more than 10,000 fans, while the decider took place at Nubank Parque with a crowd of nearly 30,000.

"For the first time in the history of the Brasileirão, with two matches, two finals, in stadiums with more than 10,000 people—10,000 at São Januário, nearly 30,000 here. That helps, it contributes to bringing the players closer to the reality they will face with the first team," he said.

In Rodrigo’s view, development happens in stages involving talent preparation, competition at a high level, and later the promotion of players to professional football. He defended the continuation of the model adopted by the CBF and highlighted the importance of giving athletes competitive experiences increasingly closer to the reality they will find in the senior team.

"We have talent development, which happens in training and high-level competitions, something the CBF has done very well, so that in the third pillar we can promote these athletes with competitive solidity. So it is important that the CBF stays on this path," he said.

The executive also said that one objective is to develop players for Brazil’s national teams. Rodrigo cited the work of Branco, coordinator of the CBF’s youth categories, alongside Cícero Souza, manager of the Men’s National Teams, and Rodrigo Caetano, general executive coordinator of the Men’s National Teams.

"Our objective is also to provide players for our national team, for our youth national team, led by Branco, who does excellent work together with Cícero Souza and Rodrigo Caetano," he said.

With the historic title won against Palmeiras, Vasco brought a memorable Brasileirão U-20 campaign to a close. For Rodrigo, however, the achievement does not represent the end of the work, but rather another step in the club’s development project.

"So all we can do is be thankful. It’s a moment of great happiness for all of us, and we’ll keep moving forward on this journey. The work continues. And that’s it, let’s keep going!" he concluded.

Vasco won a historic first titleCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

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