Rodrigo Caio Coquette Russo (born 17 August 1993), known as Rodrigo Caio, is a Brazilian football coach and former player who played as a centre-back. He is the current assistant coach of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Flamengo.
Playing career São Paulo
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.Rodrigo Caio ensina 'o movimento do escorpião', usado contra Neymar
In 2013, with Paulo Miranda and Edson Silva injured, Rodrigo 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 substitutes' bench.Versátil, Rodrigo Caio ganha elogios de Paulo Autuori
On 2 August 2014, Rodrigo Caio damaged his anterior cruciate ligament, going on to miss a further several months.Com ruptura em ligamento do joelho, Rodrigo Caio passará por cirurgia He returned to the field on 16 March 2015.
On 12 June 2015, it was reported that Rodrigo 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.No a Rodrigo Caio, El Mundo (Spain), 29 June 2015
Flamengo On 29 December 2018, Rodrigo Caio joined Flamengo on a contract running until 2023. Flamengo agreed to pay €5 million for 45% of his economic rights from São Paulo, the transfer includes an achievement clause in the next two years that allows the purchase of 30% of his rights for another €2 million.
A regular starter in his first years, Rodrigo Caio struggled severely with injuries from 2021 onwards, and left the club in December 2023, as his contract was due to expire.
Grêmio On 3 June 2024, after spending the first half of the season without a club, Rodrigo Caio signed a short-term deal with Grêmio. He left the club in December, after having appeared in just five matches.
Post-playing career On 13 May 2025, Rodrigo Caio returned to Flamengo after being named Filipe Luís' assistant coach.
Career statistics Club
ClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSão Paulo2011Série A80————802012709Appearance(s) in Campeonato Paulista.0301Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana.0—2002013363111008Three appearances in Copa Libertadores, Five appearances in Copa Sudamericana.03Two appearances in Recopa Sudamericana, one appearance in J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship.058420148013140——251201524140503Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores.0—361201620112210130—46420173301116020—5212018601016110—232Total14257062512803026813Flamengo2019Série A29212Appearance(s) in Campeonato Carioca.1401212Appearance(s) in FIFA Club World Cup.059420202007000302One appearance in Recopa Sudamericana, one appearance in Supercopa do Brasil.032020211904040511Appearance(s) in Supercopa do Brasil.0331202280002020—120202350600020—130Total812291100242501495Grêmio2024Série A50—00——50Career Total22879973515228042218
International
BrazilYearAppsGoals201610201730202010Total50
Honours Club São Paulo Copa Sudamericana: 2012
Flamengo Copa Libertadores: 2019, 2022 Recopa Sudamericana: 2020 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2019, 2020 Copa do Brasil: 2022 Supercopa do Brasil: 2020, 2021 Campeonato Carioca: 2019, 2020, 2021
International Brazil Olympic Gold Medal: 2016 Brazil U20 Toulon Tournament: 2014
Individual Toulon Tournament Golden Ball: 2014 South American Team of the Year: 2019 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2019 Campeonato Carioca Team of the Year: 2019, 2020
References
External links
Rodrigo Caio featured in Brazil: the talent factory 2013