Youngster Rodrigo Thrilled by First Brazil U17 Call-Up, Aims for Debut

Rodrigo, a promising forward for Brazil's Under-17 National Team, is celebrating his inaugural selection for the squad as they embark on their training camp in Natal (RN) in preparation for the World Cup. Notably, he is the only player born in 2010 among the 24 selected, making him an intriguing addition to a team primarily composed of players born in 2009, who will turn 17 by 2026.

As the youngest member of the team, Rodrigo expressed gratitude towards his more seasoned teammates for their warm welcome. "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," he shared after a training session on Wednesday (3).

Rodrigo, who plays for Vasco da Gama, highlighted the importance of teamwork, noting how the experienced players have actively supported him. "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," he stated, looking forward to the possibility of making his national team debut.

The squad is focused on rigorous training, with Rodrigo commenting, "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." When asked about his contribution to the team, Rodrigo confidently replied, "Score goals."