Rodrigo Caio


Rodrigo Caio Coquette Russo, 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.
𝕏 RCaio03

Player 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, a well known move in indoor soccer, to prevent some dribbles and shots from 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.
On 2 August 2014, Rodrigo 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 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.

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.

Honours

Club

;São Paulo
;Flamengo

International

;Brazil
;Brazil U20

Individual