Rodrigo Alves Soares was born on December 26, 1992 in Goia, and just like virtually any child in his native Brazil began playing football from a very young age.

He turned professional at the age of 20 with União São João, before moving to Santo André for a brief stint and then on to Gremio Anapolis. There he played virtually the whole 2014-15 season, making 14 appearances and scoring goal, a performance that was enough to earn him a move to Europe.

FC Porto signed him and used him in the B team for the next two seasons, while in 2017 he moved to Chaves on loan, making his debut in the Liga NOS. The following season, Rodrigo was looking for a team in the top flight to be able to prove himself and Deportivo das Aves gave him the opportunity.

In his first season with the club, the Brazilian full-back made 33 appearances, scored once and contributed two assists, playing a key role in winning the club’s first title in its history. His first big step had been taken. But then another huge jump would come in the 2018-19 season.

What followed was a total of 41 appearances, four goals, and nine assists, plus awards from the Liga NOS as the season’s top full-back, as well as many honors at pan-European level. Rodrigo had a great season and the scouts began to circle around him. Porto and Sporting Lisbon cast their nets, but PAOK moved quickly and managed to bring the Brazilian to Thessaloniki.