The versatile Internacional midfielder has earned comparisons to the legendary Falcao and will be vital from the bench for coach Rogerio Micale at the Olympics
When Roger Micale released the names of his 18-man Brazil squad for the Rio Olympics he stressed time and again the importance of a holistic approach that requires players who are able to fulfil more than one function.
For decades Brazil have fielded ‘broken’ teams, split between defensive and attacking players. The approach brought two World Cups, but in recent years it has grown stagnant, leaving local commentators crying out for something more.
Micale is intent on providing that, and is ushering in a proposed new dawn embodied by Internacional midfielder Rodrigo Dourado.
An all-action midfield maestro, the 22-year-old has already drawn flattering comparisons to the great Falcao, his new coach in Porto Alegre, and an eternal idol of Brazilian football.
Shaped in a fresh, young squad at Inter alongside the likes of Valdivia and fellow Olympian William, Dourado is widely considered to be one of the great revelations of recent years and a true pillar of professionalism.
Having risen through the ranks to claim a starting role at his club Dourado now stands alongside 17 others on the verge of history, as a first-ever Olympic gold hangs tantalising in front of the Selecao Olimpica.
Though not in Micale’s preferred starting XI, his desire to add as much as possible to the collective will be key to the minutes he will undoubtedly see at the games as a vital part of Brazil’s supporting cast – and that he can parachute in to fill a number of positions could yet make him an invaluable member of the squad.
"I play more as the first midfielder, but I can also play as the second in a more defensive role,” he told the press.
“Micale also can use me in defence. I am available to him, but there are many quality players that can also fulfil these functions.”
Versatile and good on the ball, he has also displayed his strength in marking onrushing opposition midfielders and proved a valuable line of protection to a back-four that will ask the full-backs to bomb forward and provide width.
Breaking up the play and winning the ball back for his side will be vital attributes to his hopes playing a major role at the games, and his attacking qualities will make him all the more useful in a team that Micale says he is asking to “defend and attack with all 11 players.”
Wherever he is deployed, Rodrigo Dourado is calm, intent and focused on doing anything and everything to aid Brazil’s quest for an unprecedented gold medal.
..... - Goal