Introduction
Rodrigo Caio Coquette Russo (born 17 August 1993), known as Rodrigo Caio, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for São Paulo FC as a central defender or a defensive midfielder.
Club career
Born in Dracena, São Paulo, Rodrigo Caio is a product of São Paulo FC's academy and started his career as a defensive midfielder. In 2012, in a 3–2 win against Santos FC in the State League, he played as right back, with the responsibility of marking Neymar. After the game, Caio was praised by press for his success in holding down the santista forward. He executed the movimento do escorpião (In English, Scorpion Movement), a well known move in indoor soccer, to prevent some dribbles and shots from Neymar.
In 2013, with Paulo Miranda and Edson Silva injured, Caio started playing as a centre back. After good performances, he was praised by coach Paulo Autuori who highlighted his contribution to São Paulo's defense. Caio continued to perform so well that Antônio Carlos, hired by the club in the middle of the Brazilian League season, was mostly confined to the substitute's bench.
On 2 August 2014, Caio damaged his anterior cruciate ligament, going on to miss a further several months. He returned to the field on 16 March 2015.
On 12 June 2015, it was reported that Caio signed a five-year contract with La Liga side Valencia CF, for a €12.5 million fee plus four million more in add-ons. On 29 June 2015, the transfer to Valencia collapsed after the player failed two medicals.
Club statistics
- As of 6 October 2016
| Club | Season | League | Cup | CONMEBOL | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| São Paulo | 2011 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 2012 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 36 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 58 | 4 | |
| 2014 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 26 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 24 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 36 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 37 | 2 | |
| Career Total | 94 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 53 | 4 | 185 | 8 | |
Honours
Club
- São Paulo
- Copa Sudamericana: 2012
International
- Brazil
- Olympic Gold Medal: 2016
- Brazil U20
- Toulon Tournament: 2014