Rodrygo Goes

Rodrygo Goes: a star destined to shine bright in the footballing constellation

As the curtains rose on a new football season, Sports World embarked on a journey to the Spanish capital, Madrid. There, amidst the splendour and opulence of the Four Seasons Hotel, we captured an exclusive collaboration that promises to redefine luxury in the world of professional football.

Rodrygo Goes, the Brazilian prodigy lighting up La Liga, stands on the cusp of the most important season in his already glittering career. With the departure of Real Madrid’s talismanic striker Karim Benzema, opportunity knocks, and Rodrygo is ready to embrace it with unwavering determination.

Our collaboration with Los Blancos’ rising star unfolded at the famed Four Seasons Hotel and Residences, the quintessential icon of luxury in Madrid. Here, we captured Rodrygo through the lens of SWM, offering an exclusive insight into the world and outlook of Real Madrid’s most promising young talent.

For brands looking to amplify their reputation with a discerning audience, footballers remain a powerful vehicle and there are few better names to align with than Rodrygo Goes. By recognising the unparalleled cultural influence wielded by these athletes, brands are placing professional footballers at the forefront of their marketing arsenal. Among the prestigious names collaborating are Jaquet Droz, MJ Jones, and Golden Concept.

Jaquet Droz, the famed Swiss watchmaker, is known for its exquisite and high-quality timepieces. Founded by Pierre Jaquet-Droz in 1738, the brand is one of the oldest watchmakers in Switzerland. Renowned for its craftsmanship, precision, and artistic design, Jaquet Droz continues to produce exceptional timepieces that seamlessly blend traditional watchmaking with contemporary aesthetics.

In the world of fine jewellery, MJ Jones, the esteemed London-based jeweller, has garnered acclaim for its collaborations with the world’s most illustrious footballers and celebrities. The Pearl Skies collection, a testament to their artistry, takes inspiration from the heavens evoking open skies, opaque nights and golden sunsets.

Turning our attention to Golden Concept, a distinguished Swedish luxury brand celebrated for its high-end Apple accessories and lifestyle products. Their portfolio encompasses a wide array of premium Apple cases incorporating exquisite materials such as genuine gold, leather, and unique customisations. However, this collaboration unveiled a fresh perspective, offering an exclusive first look at their latest clothing line, yet to be released to the general public.

The result was a memorable collaboration—a visual masterpiece that encapsulated the distinctive style he has become known for. SW remains at the forefront of the ever-evolving nexus between sports and high fashion, marking another milestone in the ongoing fashion revolution within professional football.

Nestled within the vibrant heart of Madrid, the Four Seasons Hotel stands as the city’s most exclusive and awe-inspiring residence. Upon entering the hotel lobby, you are transported to a world of grandeur and opulence—the two-story centrepiece is adorned with marble walkways, a contemporary KAWS sculpture, and interiors inspired by late Spanish painters Francisco Goya and Diego Velázquez.

Our journey begins in the hotel’s palatial Royal Suite, a one-bedroom apartment rich in original historical details and cultural elegance. Even in Madrid, a city home to an abundance of iconic settings and a rich tapestry of architecture, the suite feels otherworldly and exudes an aura of stately majesty.

As the sun dips below the horizon and casts a warm golden hue over the city, we prepare to welcome Rodrygo Goes, Real Madrid’s prodigious sensation and the heir apparent to the coveted Galactico throne. At a mere 22 years of age, he has the world at his feet and yet his surroundings seem natural as if he was always destined for the limelight.

As the evening unfolds, Rodrygo remains unfazed by the remarkable journey that has brought him here. At 11 years old, he penned his first sponsorship deal with Nike. By 16, he’d signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club Santos and at 17, he became the most expensive teenager in Real Madrid’s storied history.

But for Rodrygo, the allure lies not in the past but in the boundless opportunities that lie in the future. “I’m just getting started,” he says, with a confident smile on his face. “Winning titles with Real Madrid has been an incredible experience, but I want to win many more. Of course, with Brazil, I dream of lifting the World Cup and every trophy possible. My goal is always to win, whatever competition I’m playing in.”

Rodrygo shares a common trait with Real Madrid—an insatiable appetite for success. In just four seasons, he has amassed an enviable collection of accolades, matching the career achievements of some of the most iconic footballers of the 21st century.

But beyond the glory and adoration, Rodrygo is more than a footballer; he’s a beacon of hope for the next generation. His journey from the sun-soaked streets of Osasco to the sacred turf of the Santiago Bernabéu is a testament to the power of dreams and a reminder that success is not confined to age or experience but fuelled by passion and perseverance.

“My journey with Real Madrid has been almost perfect,” he reflects. “Life will always throw you challenges, and there is always adversity, but that’s normal for a footballer. Wearing this famous shirt has been an honour, and to have achieved everything in these four years is a blessing.

“As players, we are aware of how difficult it is to win titles, and I believe that God has blessed me throughout my time in this special city. It’s nice to look back on my achievements, but I want to win everything there is with Real Madrid many more times in my career.”

Regardless of what the future holds, Rodrygo has already etched his name into the annals of football history as a legendary figure for both Real Madrid and the ‘País do Futebol’. To be held in such high esteem by the football community at 22 years of age is a testament not only to his talents on the pitch but his upbringing.

As he reflects on those formative years, a warm smile lights up his face. Memories of his childhood come flooding back—days filled with friends, family, and the ever-present companionship of a football.

“Most of my family still live in São Paulo, but I’ve always remained very close to them,” he shares. “As a child, I remember spending all my time playing football in the street with my friends. From the moment I started walking I was playing football in the streets, that’s where it all started.

“My parents told me that I started walking early and at eight years old, I already had this love for football because it was the only toy I’d ever wanted. I didn’t want a baby carriage like other children, I only wanted a football. That’s where my love began and it continued from playing in the street to joining my first school and starting to train.”

Born and raised in the footballing city of São Paulo, Rodrygo seemed destined to follow in the illustrious footsteps of those who came before him, most notably, his father, Eric Goes. Throughout the last two decades, Eric carved a successful career in Brazilian football, laying the foundations for his son to follow suit.

Like his father, Rodrygo’s early life was marked by undeniable footballing talent and boundless potential. By the age of 10, he had signed with Santos’ academy, honing his futsal skills initially before joining the football setup, mirroring the path of his idol Robinho.

Soon, his performances and natural talent caught the eyes of the first team coaching staff, and in November 2017, he made his professional debut for Santos. Aged just 16, he became the youngest player ever to score a hat-trick in the Copa Libertadores, a performance which catapulted him into the global spotlight.

In Brazilian football, there’s a tendency to anoint talented young footballers as the ‘next’ version of the nation’s most beloved stars, rather than allowing them the freedom to forge their own paths. At the age of 12, he was already drawing comparisons to Neymar and Pelé, therefore the weight of expectation was a burden Rodrygo had to endure throughout the earliest days of his career.

With such a furore surrounding him, it would’ve been easy for Rodrygo to falter under the scrutiny, as so many have done before him. Yet, with the support and guidance of his family, Rodrygo remained steadfast in his belief that he was destined for the top, ready to embrace the fame that lay ahead.

“Fortunately, I was prepared from an early age given my father’s experience as a professional player,” he reflects. “Growing up, I shared similar experiences with him, so I learned a lot about the life of a footballer. When my turn came, it became a little easier to deal with the pressure.

“I always believed in my potential and so did my family, they knew what I would become. I think that was easier because they prepared me from the start, from nothing. I was taught to be humble and respect the people around me, and today I am still the same person I was as a child.

“Without my family, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. My parents paid a big price so that I could be where I am at this moment. Their contributions feel more significant than my own because they dedicated their lives to my dreams.”

That foundation has proved pivotal in his rise to stardom. Like many of Brazil’s superstars who have come before him, Rodrygo emerged as a product of Santos’ coveted youth system—the same institution that once nurtured the genius of Pelé and gave birth to the ethos of ‘O Jogo Bonito’, or in other words, ‘The Beautiful Game’.

Brazil has long had a reputation for producing the best players in the world. The secret behind this consistent production of exceptional talent has been the subject of much debate, but Brazil’s football supremacy isn’t because of an innate, God-given endowment.

Rather, it’s a testament to how the nation has made football central to its culture. During the darkest periods in Brazil’s history, football became the vehicle for societal change and united the people through their shared love of watching and playing the sport—a reminder to us all that the beautiful game’s allure extends far beyond the confines of the pitch.

“Santos holds a special place in my heart,” says Rodrygo. “I owe a lot of who I am today to the club that welcomed me when I was just 10 years old. I grew up in that city, playing football for that club, and learned a lot of lessons that have formed the person and footballer I am today. I had a dream of playing for Real Madrid, but I was only able to fulfill that dream because of the time I spent at Santos. It was an important part of my life.”

In the summer of 2018, the world watched on as Rodrygo made history, signing for Real Madrid for a reported fee of €45 million, the highest ever received by a club in Latin America. It was an expensive gamble considering he’d only made 17 first-team appearances, but one would pay immeasurable dividends.

A year later, Rodrygo joined the club and enjoyed a fairy-tale start to life in the Spanish capital. On 25 September, he made his first-team debut, scoring within 93 seconds. Two months later, he scored his first hat-trick in a UEFA Champions League match at the age of 18 years and 301 days.

That unforgettable season saw Rodrygo’s dreams materialise as he clinched the coveted La Liga title, setting in motion a whirlwind four years. He had embraced the pressures of the iconic white jersey with unflinching confidence and established himself as a favourite with every Madridista.

“Signing for Real Madrid was like stepping into a dream,” he reflects. “It was one of the best feelings I have experienced in my life. I had always dreamed of playing for Real Madrid, but I was close to joining Barcelona.

“Thankfully, they made an offer and I had to choose between the two. While I have huge respect for Barcelona, it was an easy decision for me. I have always wanted to play for Real Madrid since I was little. That moment was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. It’s something I wish everyone could experience—to live that day as I did.”

When he signed for Real Madrid, he joined an elite group of Brazilians to have donned the iconic white jersey. Legends such as Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, and Kaka, have all graced the hallowed turf of the Bernabéu and succumbed to the inexorable charm of the city.

Madrid, a city resplendent with world-class restaurants, unparalleled shopping, and eclectic nightlife, has long attracted the rich and famous, but even more so during Florentino Perez’ Galactico revolution.

For a young footballer on the precipice of stardom, the prospect of calling Madrid home is often too good to resist.

“I’m enjoying life here in Madrid,” Rodrygo confides. “The city has welcomed me with open arms, and I think I’ve adapted well. Madrid is an amazing place to be—the best restaurants, shopping, and new cultures. Every day I spend here, I like it more and more. I think I’ll always want to be here.

“Honestly, I think I have changed a bit since I joined Real Madrid. By living in another country, I have experienced a new culture, and, of course, I have changed, but it’s been nice. I have cherished my time in Madrid so far, and I hope to call this city my home for many years.”

Rodrygo’s life has been an extraordinary journey—a tapestry woven with the threads of joy, triumphs, and challenges. From the moment he drew his first breath, he’s been on an adventure filled with unimaginable success, unexpected twists, and boundless opportunity.

As the legendary actor and musician, Danny Kaye, once wisely remarked, “Life is a blank canvas, and you need to throw all the paint on it you can”. Throughout his journey, whether in São Paulo or the Santiago Berneabéu, Rodrygo has proven himself as an artist of the highest order.

In just 22 short years, he’s painted a picture of dedication and remarkable success, and yet his future remains a mystery. One thing is certain—Rodrygo Goes is far from finished with the masterpiece that he calls ‘life’.