Rodrigo started his career at local club
Portuguesa Santista in 1995, having played for the club in
Campeonato Paulista matches and was loaned to
Guarani for the
1997 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. After returning to Portuguesa Santista, he was loaned to
Gama and was a key player for the club as they won
1998 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, scoring 9 goals in 14 matches. In 1999, Rodrigo joined
Botafogo, shining at national level and becoming the club top goalscorer at the
2000 and
2001 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A editions, also being touted to a call-up to
Brazil national football team. In 2002, he was loaned to
Atlético Mineiro, where he injured his right knee in a match against
Cruzeiro. Rodrigo was signed on loan for
Everton in July 2002, choosing his name to be printed as
Rodrigol. However, his knee injury was not properly diagnosed and he suffered a ruptured ligament in September and did not play for the club again before being released in May the following year, having played only four matches. He went on trial with
Leeds United in the summer of 2003. After returning to Brazil, he joined
Corinthians in 2004, but he dealt with persistent injuries and surgeries to his knee and could not recover his previous form. Later, he had unsuccessful spells at
Juventude,
Atlético Paranaense,
Vasco da Gama,
Paraná and
Boavista, before ending his playing career at
Red Bull Brasil in 2010. After retiring, Rodrigo worked as a pundit and, in 2014, became an assistant manager for
Boavista, being promoted to manager in the following year. He stayed as manager in 2016 and was replaced by
Joel Santana in 2017. == Honours ==