Speaking in an exclusive interview withGE Globo,Real Madridstarlet Rodrygo Goes has opened up on the ‘worst moment of his career’ – the penalty miss for Brazil against Croatia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The 22-year-old attacker, who ɾєⱱєɑłєԀhow close he was signing for Barcelonabefore joiningReal Madridduring the same interview, admitted that he sees the penalty miss during the shootout against Croatia as the lowest point of his career so far.
Brazil faced Croatia in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. The game єɴԀed in a goalless draw in regulation time, forcing extra time.
Neymar scored for Brazil, but Bruno Petkovic equalised for the European nation late in the second half of extra time to take the match into penalties.
With Nikola Vlasic converting from Croatia’s first spot kick in the shootouts, the pressure was on Brazil to not err.
Rodrygo took upon the pressure on himself to step up and deliver theSelecao’sfirst penalty, but could not convert. Eventually, Brazil єɴԀed up losing 4-2 on penalties, with Marquinhos also missing.
Now, Rodrygo reminisced about his miss against Croatia and admitted that it was the most painful moment of his career so far.
“Was the missed penalty the worse moment of my life? From my career, yes. It was everyone’s dream to win the World Cup. I know I have a lot of Cups to play, but that was our dream and the way it was, how we took the draw and then the penalties,”he said.
“It was certainly the most painful moment of my career. I will always move forward, regardless of the difficulties that arise. It’s normal,”the 22-year-old added.
While Rodrygo might have missed from the spot for Brazil, he is not shying away from the responsibility and is now one of themain contєɴԀers to become Real Madrid’s primary penalty-takerfollowing Karim Benzema’s exit.
