Brazil U17 youngster Rodrigo celebrates first call-up, eyes debut | OneFootball

The backbone of Brazil’s Under-17 National Team, which is holding its first preparation camp for the World Cup in Natal (RN), is made up of the “09” players, who turn 17 in 2026. But there is one “outsider” on coach Carlos Eduardo Patetuci’s list: forward Rodrigo, the only one among the 24 call-ups born in 2010. The Vasco da Gama player is celebrating his first call-up to the Seleção and thanks his teammates for welcoming him into the group.

As the youngest player in the squad and in his first opportunity with the national team, he is still speaking only a few words for now, as if taking in everything that has been happening in his life recently. He admits the call-up itself came as a surprise.

The forward thanked his more experienced teammates for welcoming him into the Brazil squadCredits: Daniel Santos / QFC

“First of all, I want to thank God for everything He is doing in my life. I wasn’t expecting this call-up, I was very nervous, but God blessed me and I’m very happy about it,” Rodrigo said after training this Wednesday (3).

As the coach instructed, the role of the team’s more experienced players is to help the younger ones settle in, something Rodrigo says has indeed been happening. “My teammates welcomed me well, they invited me to stay with them. It’s an honor to wear this shirt, I can only be thankful for everything,” said the player, who is now eagerly awaiting a possible debut for the national team.

The Under-17 national team held another training session this Wednesday (3) at QFC’s training center, preparing for the friendly matchCredits: Daniel Santos / QFC

“We’ve been working very hard, and now there are three training sessions left before the first friendly. We’re going to keep at it so that when we get to the stadium, we can win both,” Rodrigo said, sincere and straightforward when asked how his playing style can help the team. “Score goals,” he concluded.

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