With a five-point advantage over second-placed Blackburn Rovers in the Championship (England’s second division), Fulham are enjoying a tremendous season. Rodrigo Muniz, a Brazilian striker, begins to have opportunities to show his goal-scoring abilities in the squad.
At the age of 20, the former Flamengo player is in his first season in Europe. He made his football debut in 2021, shining in the Carioca and scoring goals in the Brasileirão, including one via a bicycle kick against Red Bull Bragantino.
After being moved to the English team for 8 million euros, he is progressively expanding his territory. Although the London attack is extremely competitive, the Brazilian’s first impressions are positive.
Opportunities start to appear.
Coach Marco Silva brought Rodrigo Muniz in as an attacking alternative, and he progressively flashed his prospects. The fight for the starting berth is tough, as Serbian Aleksandar Mitrovic has been in excellent form this season, scoring 27 goals in 26 games.
Despite this, Muniz enjoys playing games. He has played 16 games in the Championship, four of them as a starter, and scored four goals. In reality, the striker has an average of one goal every 90 minutes in the competition, demonstrating that he can score when called upon.
In Fulham’s last match, against Stoke City (23/01), the Brazilian earned a starting spot and did not disappoint. By scoring a fantastic goal in a great pivot play, he contributed to his team’s 3-2 victory, which strengthened their lead in the standings.
The top two clubs in the Second Division earn promotion to the Premier League, while one Playoff slot is still open (from third to sixth place). Despite the fact that there are still 19 games left in the season, Fulham have already taken an eight-point lead in the third stage.
The club has won four straight games and are averaging over three goals each match. As a result, promotion and the title are realistic targets, and Muniz, who has a five-year contract with the club, might play against Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah, and Kevin De Bruyne in the Premier League next season.
Several players, including coach Marco Silva, have shown their support.
Coach Marco Silva has eased Muniz’s adaptation to England. The Portuguese called the player after Fulham made the offer and described the club’s aim. His effect on the ex-red black’s selection was significant.
Initially, Rodrigo Muniz’s life was full of ups and downs. In the team’s second game, a Championship loss to Reading, he scored his first goal for the group. However, he missed the penalty that decided their exit from the English League Cup in a fixture against Leeds.
After the game, he remarked, “I wept a lot, but the entire team hugged me.” “The skipper sent me a message,” the striker told Jornal O Dia. The player’s self-assurance never wavered, and he now takes private English lessons and considers himself to have developed since leaving Brazilian football.
Proposal and agreement between Fulham and Arab football
The story of Rodrigo Muniz may develop in a different route. Before opting on Fulham, he had various offers, including one from Atlético de Madrid, and was on the brink of signing with Al-Nasr of the United Arab Emirates. The financial implications were a big difference.
Regardless, the 20-year-old stated he was pushed to play in Europe by full-back Filipe Luis. Due to the club’s recent success and the possibility of qualifying for the Premier League, Fulham have a higher opportunity of drawing attention.
The deal was struck during Europe’s summer season and publicly revealed on August 20, 2021. Since then, Muniz has worn the number 19 for the Cottagers.
Highlights of the loan to Coritiba during the Carioca Championship
Rodrigo Muniz debuted in Brazil with Desportivo Brasil, where he starred in Flamengo’s youth levels. He was loaned to Coritiba in 2020, where he played six games and scored one goal despite having little opportunities.
The turning point occurred in 2021, when he returned to Flamengo for the start of the Campeonato Carioca. In the Brasileirão, he became a vital substitute for Gabigol and Pedro. He scored two goals against Red Bull Bragantino, one of which he scored via a bicycle kick, and grabbed European clubs’ attention once again.
Rodrigo Muniz is currently vying for more playing time in order to help Fulham reclaim their Premier League status next season. He will be able to attain more success in European football as a consequence of this.
