Rodrigo Caio Coquette Russo (born 17 August 1993), known as Rodrigo Caio, is a footballer who plays as a central defender for Flamengo and the Brazil national team. Club 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. 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. Flamengo On 29 December 2018, 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. Career statistics Club International 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