“Rodrygo had everything when he was 11 years old to just think about playing”

Behind success of Rodrygo Goes (19 years old) in the Champios, where its beginning improves that of the five historical pichichis of the competition and that of the first Haaland, there are many people. Three of them, perhaps the most important, crack at AS: his father, his agent and his personal trainer. First, EricHe was a professional footballer and has gone from having his son accompany him to his games to taking him and picking him up in Valdebebas when he plays for Madrid. “He is someone special, very affectionate, always cheerful, playing with everyone all the time”, celebrates Dad Goes.

Precisely about the person, more than the athlete, gives details: “He plays the ukulele, plays video games with friends online and is a boy with a giant heart, he likes to help others. He has a spectacular relationship and a lot of affinity with his sister Julya. Family is his base, what keeps you strong. To play for Madrid at 18 you have to have enormous mental strength. The pressure is tremendous, but together we are stronger. “

For this, the structure that holds and launches El Rayo is also essential, as explained his representative, Nick Arcuri, from Unique Football: “We tried to give him all the support, taking care of the physical, the diet, the communication, the logistics or the economy. At the age of 11 he already had all the support to think only about playing. He had a great talent and we had to empower him. It has been a job of many years to reach what he has reaped. “In that journey there were no shortage of girlfriends: “At 16 he aroused the interest of Europe and we even received proposals, but because of his age and his plan we prefer to wait. As a Santos professional we had many questions again, but He always said that his dream was Real Madrid. When he called we didn't think about it; It's what he wanted. “ “He has already won a League, but he has I really want to lift a Champions League and represent Brazil in important tournaments “, Arcuri warns.

Marcel Duarte: “We have taken care of Rodrygo since he was 13 years old”

Eric it is key at every level of Rodrygo's life. “I participate in all areas, as a partner and as a friend. I try to always be with him, be a reference and teach him that there are good and bad days. In his first year it was very important to play and be a champion, we are happy. He is very young and can still grow a lot in everything. He's going to give us a lot of joy, on and off the pitch. “

His father exercises with him, but to expose his physical evolution the most indicated is Marcel Duarte, his personal trainer. “We take care of him since he was 13 years old, so your results now are not overnight. His father and his staff hired us to come up with a long-term plan and it's paying off. We also take care of your diet, optimize your recovery and your rest. We want you to get increasingly powerful and explosive movements, thereby preventing injuries and preparing him for the demands of today's football. “