Portugal
The Portuguese Pitbull
Gonçalo Rodrigues is one of those players opponents hate to play against. A tough-tackling midfielder with a sharp footballing brain, he combines grit with skill and playmaking ability.
Gonçalo played both 11-a-side football and futsal at a semi-professional level in Portugal, including stints at Ad Penamacorense and ACD Ladoeiro (recently promoted to the Portuguese Futsal First Division). In 11-a-side football, he spent most of his career at CDRC Vila Velha de Ródão before moving to Kraków.
In Kraków, he tasted success with CF Vila Nova, winning the FLS B League — a feat no foreign team had previously achieved. Since the Dragoons’ entry into the Polish league system in 2019, Gonçalo was a mainstay of the squad, making his debut in the 6-0 Puchar Polski win over Fairant, which remains his favourite moment with the club.
Gonçalo eventually left the club to join Podgórze to gain more playing time but continued to be an honorary Dragoon at heart.
He briefly put his playing career on hold to serve as assistant manager to Hugo Cruz during the 2024/25 season and also ran the Sunday League team, but his desire to play remained strong. Despite Gonçalo Ferreira wanting to keep Gonzi as part of his coaching team, he has since rejoined his former side and divisional rivals Podgórze, continuing to display the blend of toughness and technical skill that defines his game.
#FunFact
When Gonçalo played in the Biznesliga as ringer, he chose the pseudonym Manuel Fernandes to be registered, having already competed for another team!
