Rodrigo Caio is a former Brazilian defender known for his elegance on the field, tactical intelligence, and versatility. A product of the youth academy of São Paulo FC, the club with which he made his professional debut in 2011, he quickly gained attention for his mature performance, even at a young age. Initially a defensive midfielder, he was moved back to defense by Muricy Ramalho, where he found his best form. At São Paulo, he experienced ups and downs, but made his mark by playing over 250 matches and earning a call-up to the Olympic squad that won the Rio Games in 2016.

At the end of 2018, Rodrigo Caio transferred to Flamengo and enjoyed the peak of his career. Under Jorge Jesus, he became a regular starter for one of the best teams in the club's recent history, playing a key role in their Copa Libertadores and Brazilian Championship victories in 2019. His style of play — clean, technical, and with a keen sense of anticipation — he perfectly complemented the more physical defenders alongside him, such as Pablo Mari. He also stood out for his ability to play with quality, something essential in that team's offensive and proactive system.

Although his call-ups to the Brazilian national team were sporadic, Rodrigo Caio played for several youth teams, most notably winning Olympic gold in 2016. He was called up by Tite on a few occasions, including in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and in friendly matches, but he never played in major tournaments like Copa América or World Cup.

Rodrigo Caio's career was also marked by recurring injuries, both at São Paulo, but especially in his final years at Flamengo, which limited his playing time. Nevertheless, he is remembered as a rare defender in contemporary Brazilian football: technical, disciplined, intelligent, and capable of combining modern football with the classic fundamentals of the position. Throughout his career, he earned the respect of teammates, fans, and coaches for his professional demeanor and commitment to the game.

Other Links:
Rodrigo Caio - Wikipedia Portuguese
Rodrigo Caio - Wikipedia English

Videos:
Rodrigo Caio RAÇA Absoluta em 2019 - FLA19 Ep3
GOL - Rodrigo Caio - Flamengo x Athletico Paranaense [26/05/2019]
Rodrigo Caio e Pablo Mari vs Grêmio (2019)
FLAMENGO X RIVER PLATE FINAL DA LIBERTADORES 2019 | Rodrigo Caio is n° 3