Son of ex-Adelaide United striker Cristiano eyes Melbourne City debut in FFA Cup final with Reds
The son of former Adelaide United striker Cristiano is making his mark at a rival A-League club. And the teenage prodigy is eyeing an FFA Cup final debut in his hometown against the Reds.
Melbourne City
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His father was an Adelaide United fan favourite who once saw red in a heartbreaking grand final defeat.
Now SA-raised Raphael Borges Rodrigues — the son of Brazilian import Cristiano — hopes to return home to help Melbourne City see off the hosts in the FFA Cup decider.
The winger, 16, has risen rapidly through the ranks at the Victorian outfit since heading east two years ago, earning an A-League scholarship last month.
Borges Rodrigues impressed new City coach Erick Mombaerts in pre-season action and is edging closer to a first-team debut as the October 23 cup final with the Reds approaches.
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“It’s been a whole new step up,” said Borges Rodrigues, who played for Western Strikers, White City, Fulham and Raiders in SA.
“Everyone is faster, stronger and also technically good because they’re professional athletes.
“At first moving away (from home) was tough, but I’m not regretting it and I’ve seen a lot of improvement.
“Since I moved there I’ve been thinking ‘imagine if I come back and get my debut in Adelaide’.
“It would be an unreal feeling playing in front of my Dad and all of my family again.”
Borges Rodrigues was born in Maastricht, Holland, and followed his father to Adelaide aged five, when Cristiano signed for United.
He progressed through FFSA’s development programs, but joined City after failing to land a spot in the Reds’ youth system.
The youngster was accompanied in Melbourne by his mother, Viviane, while his father and brother, Matheus, remained in Adelaide.
His journey mirrored that of Cristiano, who left his native Rio de Janeiro as a 15-year-old to join Dutch top-flight side NAC Breda.
“If you look at the distance from Brazil to Holland, it’s not like Adelaide to Melbourne,” said Cristiano, who was sent off in United’s 2009 grand final loss to rival Melbourne Victory.
“Also I didn’t have my mother with me … and I didn’t speak the language at the time.
“But the pathway, the road, is pretty much the same as what’s been happening with Raphael.
“Just being away from family is hard, but I’m definitely very proud of him.
“It’s a great opportunity, especially starting his career at a club like Melbourne City.
“I just want him to make his dream come true.”
Borges Rodrigues scored 11 goals for City’s under-20 side this past winter, before notching two strikes in six matches for the club’s senior NPL team.
His pace and predatory instincts earned a call-up to the A-League squad, where he shone in a series of friendlies while squeezing training sessions around his Year 10 studies.
The former St Michael’s College student said he had inherited his style of play from his father, who found the net 15 times in two campaigns with the Reds.
“He’s been a role model for me,” said Borges Rodrigues, who honed his technical ability on the futsal court during annual family visits to Brazil.
“Dad had a good career and I’m hoping that I can have a good career as well.
“He’s basically taught me everything I know and just watching him (as a player) helped.
“I think I play like a Brazilian.
“I like to be different and have a bit of Samba flair.”
The left or right-sided talent moved to City along with SA Joey Yaya Dukuly and has since been joined at the club by fellow Croweaters Kerrin Stokes and Joe Gauci.
Cristiano, who works as FFSA’s coach education manager, encouraged his son to remain grounded, but ambitious.
“He’s more skilful than I was at his age,” said Cristiano, who won goal of the tournament honours at the 2008 Club World Cup and also played in Switzerland, Malta and Honduras.
“But the advice I always give to Raphael is whatever dream you have, you are able to achieve if you work hard, keep humble and respect each other.
“Whatever pathway he’s going to take, if it is with Melbourne City or Adelaide United or in Europe after a few years, I just him to enjoy what he loves to do.”