Rodrigo: The No. 10 shirt still belongs to Neymar, and there are changes in my position with Vinícius

Saturday saw Brazilian football star Rodrigo participate in a press conference ahead of the Copa América match against Costa Rica. In this tournament, he has taken over the legendary No. 10 jersey for the Brazilian national team, a number previously worn by football giants like Pelé, Zico, and Rivaldo, and most recently, Neymar.

Reflecting on this honor, Rodrigo expressed his feelings: “Wearing the No. 10 is a great privilege for me, one of the most iconic jerseys in football history. I am aware of the huge responsibility that comes with it, and I’m ready to embrace it, but within the locker room, we’ve agreed that the burden will be shared by the whole team. We won’t let the pressure fall solely on one or two individuals; everyone will play their part to make the squad stronger.”

“I understand my role and strive for improvement every day. I know that all eyes are on me, and wearing this jersey, I’m prepared to consistently deliver excellent performances. I made it clear to Neymar that although the shirt is currently on me, it belongs to him. I’m just filling in temporarily, and we’re all eagerly awaiting his return.”

Speaking about his partnership with Real Madrid teammate Vinícius, Rodrigo shared, “Our playing styles differ with the national team, but I enjoy it and feel great. Sometimes I start in one position, then interchange with Paquetá in midfield, giving the coach more tactical options. Wherever I’m placed, I feel comfortable and ready to contribute to the team’s success.”

When asked if winning the Copa América would make him a candidate for the World’s Best Player award, Rodrigo replied modestly, “That’s quite a complex question. I believe there are many outstanding players in front of me. Although I’ve had a decent season, I’m very demanding of myself. I think I’ve done well at the club level, but there’s always room for improvement. Only then can I reach new heights. Of course, anything is possible.”

“Right now, I’m playing alongside Vinícius, who, in my opinion, is one of the world’s best players, given his extraordinary performance this season. We know the competition is fierce, and I’m on a growth path, constantly progressing towards the top level. Each season, I get better, as I’ve emphasized, and I have high expectations for myself, believing I can elevate my game even further because I have that potential. I’m confident I can achieve this, and I hope to enhance my performance in the Copa América. Perhaps in the future, this conversation might take a different turn.”

Regarding the team’s tactical setup, Rodrigo hinted at some details: “I can’t reveal too much, but often, Vinícius is on the left wing, while I operate in the center or on the right. We don’t switch positions frequently, but Coach Ancelotti has introduced a new tactical approach this year. Vinícius can also cut inside, and during the qualifiers, we experimented with swapping roles where I moved to the left and he got closer to the center, which worked well. We’ve used these variations in games against the United States too.”

“When the starting lineup is announced, people might assume I’m the central forward and Vinícius is on the wing, but in reality, it’s the other way around – I’m on the wing, and he assumes a more central striker role. This is a tactical shift we’ve brought from our club to the national team. The rest, well, that’s our secret (laughs).”