World Cup: Real Madrid’s Rodrygo names country he wants Brazil to avoid

Brazil forward, Rodrygo, has admitted that he is hoping to avoid playing against Portugal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup later this year in Qatar due to the impact their captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, can have on games.

Brazil is in a group with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon, with a potential tie against Portugal in the next round if they progress.

But Rodrygo, while naming Brazil as one of the favourites to win the World Cup, admitted he is ‘a little afraid’ of Ronaldo’s team.

“I see Brazil very well and among the favourites, regardless of whether we see the other teams play against them and such, I see us very well,” Rodrygo told UOL Sport.

“I see France very well, I’m a little afraid of Portugal. A man there (Cristiano Ronaldo) can do anything, right? Help me there, Caio. No Argentina, I can’t give morals to the guys there.”

Rodrygo enjoyed a breakout campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu last season.

The 21-year-old Real Madrid star scored nine goals and provided ten assists in 49 appearances, including two strikes in injury-time in the second leg of the dramatic Champions League semi-final tie against Premier League champions Manchester City.

He has five Brazil caps and will want to make Tite’s squad for this year’s World Cup.