Rodinei

Rodinei
Rodinei training with Flamengo in 2018
Personal information
Full name Rodinei Marcelo de Almeida
Date of birth (1992-01-29) 29 January 1992 (age 34)
Place of birth Tatuí, Brazil
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position Right-back
Team information
Current team
 Santos
Number 23
Youth career
2011–2012 Avaí
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009 Videira
2010 Porto-SC
2011–2014 Avaí 0 (0)
2012 → Marcílio Dias (loan) 7 (0)
2012–2013 → Corinthians (loan) 1 (0)
2013 → CRAC (loan) 17 (0)
2014 → Penapolense (loan) 16 (0)
2014 → Ponte Preta (loan) 22 (2)
2015 SEV Hortolândia 0 (0)
2015 → Ponte Preta (loan) 51 (0)
2016–2022 Flamengo 156 (6)
2020–2021 → Internacional (loan) 37 (2)
2023–2026 Olympiacos 105 (10)
2026– Santos 7 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 24 October 2026

Rodinei Marcelo de Almeida (born 29 January 1992), simply known as Rodinei, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Santos.

Early life

Born in Tatuí, São Paulo, Rodinei's father died before his birth, and his mother was deceased due to a brain tumor in 2002, turning him into an orphan at the age of only ten. He was then raised by his grandmother until her passing three years later, and went on to live with an uncle who were struggling with drug addiction.

Career

Early career

After training in social projects in his hometown, Rodinei started his career at the age of 17 with Videira Esporte Clube in the Campeonato Catarinense Série B. He moved to fellow league team Porto União in 2010, and had failed trials at Figueirense and Vitória before signing a professional contract with Avaí in 2011.

Initially a member of the under-20 squad, Rodinei was an unused substitute in a 3–1 away loss to Santos on 5 June 2011, and had his deal with Avaí renewed until 2015 afterwards. On 24 February 2012, he was loaned to Marcílio Dias for the year's Campeonato Catarinense, and made his senior debut two days later, in a 2–1 win over Atlético Ibirama.

On 22 May 2012, Rodinei joined Corinthians on loan for one year. A third-choice behind Alessandro and Guilherme Andrade, he made his Série A debut on 17 October, coming on as a late substitute for Willian Arão in a 2–0 away loss against Cruzeiro; it was his only appearance for the club before departing in March 2013.

On 3 May 2013, Rodinei extended his contract with Avaí and was immediately loaned to CRAC until the end of the year, being a regular starter in the club's Série C run. He then moved to Penapolense also in a temporary deal for the 2014 Campeonato Paulista, being an undisputed first-choice as his side reached the quarterfinals of the competition.

Ponte Preta

On 1 July 2014, Rodinei signed for Ponte Preta on loan until the end of the year. He scored his first professional goal in only his second match for the club, in a 2–0 home defeat of Joinville for the Série B championship.

Rodinei contributed with two goals in 22 appearances for the side during his first year, helping in their top tier promotion. On 11 December 2014, he agreed to a new one-year contract with Ponte, now owned by a group of businessmen which assigned his federative rights to SEV Hortolândia. During the 2015 season, he was again an undisputed starter, only missing three league matches as his side achieved a comfortable 11th place.

Flamengo

Rodinei with Flamengo in 2017

On 10 December 2015, Flamengo announced the signing of Rodinei for the 2016 season. He made his debut for the club on 30 January, starting in a 1–1 Campeonato Carioca home draw against Boavista.

Rodinei quickly established himself as a first-choice under head coach Muricy Ramalho until July 2016, when an elbow injury sidelined him for a month. Upon returning to action, he saw Pará overtake him as a starter, and then spent the 2017 campaign as a backup.

On 17 July 2018, after regaining his starting spot, Rodinei extended his contract with Fla until December 2022. He then saw his playing time reduce in the following year, mainly after the arrival of Rafinha.

Loan to Internacional

On 23 December 2019, Flamengo agreed to loan Rodinei to Internacional until the end of the 2020 season with an option to buy at the end of the loan set at €4 million. Regularly used, his loan was extended until May 2021 on 14 July 2020.

Rodinei was sent off during a decisive match against parent club Flamengo on 21 February 2021, which ended in a 2–1 and saw Inter lose the top spot of the 2020 Série A in the penultimate round; initially unavailable to play in that match due to his loan contract, Inter paid a R$ 1 million fee after receiving a donation from a supporter. Despite having a strong start of the 2021 campaign, providing seven assists in 13 matches, the club announced his departure in May, as his buyout clause would not be activated.

Return from loan

Back to Flamengo on 2 June 2021, Rodinei acted mainly as a backup to Mauricio Isla during the remainder of the year. In 2022, he became an undisputed starter after the arrival of Dorival Júnior as head coach, helping the club to win both the 2022 Copa do Brasil and 2022 Copa Libertadores titles, also converting the decisive penalty in the shootout of the former's final.

Olympiacos

Rodinei (left) with Olympiacos in 2024

On 11 December 2022, Rodinei moved abroad for the first time in his career, joining Greek side Olympiacos on a two-and-a-half-year contract. He made his club debut the following 3 January, starting in a 2–0 Super League Greece win over Ionikos, and scored his first goal on 1 October 2023, in a 3–0 away success over PAS Giannina.

In September 2024, after also acting as team captain in some matches, Rodinei signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him at the club until June 2027. In the 2025–26 season, he was also deployed as a right winger on several matches.

On 2 September 2026, Olympacos announced Rodinei's departure.

Santos

Immediately after leaving Olympiacos, Rodinei returned to Brazil after being announced at top tier side Santos, on a contract until December 2027. He made his club debut on 9 September 2026, starting in a 2–0 home win over Atlético Mineiro for the 2026 Copa Sudamericana.

Career statistics

As of match played 25 October 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State league National cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Avaí 2011 Série A 00————00
2012 Série B 000000——00
Total 000000——00
Marcílio Dias (loan) 2012 Série C 0070———70
Corinthians (loan) 2012 Série A 10—00——10
CRAC (loan) 2013 Série C 170—30——200
Penapolense (loan) 2014 Paulista —160———160
Ponte Preta 2014 Série B 222————222
2015 Série A 35016010——520
Total 57216010——742
Flamengo 2016 Série A 130141402030361
2017 Série A 19281705220415
2018 Série A 281915080—502
2019 Série A 17060202000270
2021 Série A 180004110—231
2022 Série A 1608010011010460
Total 1113453321292602239
Internacional (loan) 2020 Série A 230503180—391
2021 Série A 00920040—132
Total 23014231120—523
Olympiacos 2022–23 Super League Greece 190—30——220
2023–24 Super League Greece 302—20181—503
2024–25 Super League Greece 294—60100—454
2025–26 Super League Greece 244—418010375
2026–27 Super League Greece 10—0020—30
Total 10510—1513811015712
Santos 2026 Série A 70——20—90
Career total 3301510455348437057326
  1. ↑ Includes Campeonato Catarinense, Campeonato Paulista, Campeonato Carioca, Campeonato Gaúcho
  2. ↑ Includes Copa do Brasil, Greek Cup
  3. 1 2 Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  4. 1 2 Appearances in Primeira Liga
  5. ↑ Two appearances and two goals in Copa Libertadores, three appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  7. ↑ Appearance in Supercopa do Brasil
  8. ↑ Nine appearances in UEFA Europa League, nine appearances and one goal in UEFA Conference League
  9. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  10. 1 2 Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  11. ↑ Appearance in Greek Super Cup

Honours

Flamengo

Olympiacos

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 "FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019: List of Players: CR Flamengo" (PDF). FIFA. 5 December 2019. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2019.
  2. ↑ Rodinei at WorldFootball.net
  3. ↑ Santana, Paulo (22 September 2015). "Lateral da Ponte Preta supera os dramas da vida" [Ponte Preta full back overcomes the dramas of daily life]. Correio (in Brazilian Portuguese). Correio Popular. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  4. ↑ "'Mais bonito que o Beckham', Rodinei lembra dramas familiares na juventude" ['Prettier than Beckham', Rodinei recalls family dramas on his youth] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  5. ↑ "Autor do gol do título do Flamengo na Copa do Brasil, Rodinei já jogou no Porto de Porto União" [Rodinei, who scored the goal that secured Flamengo's Copa do Brasil title, previously played for Porto de Porto União] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Canal 4. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  6. ↑ "Atleta do Flamengo faz palestra no Santa Rita para motivar crianças" [Flamengo athlete gives talk at Santa Rita to motivate children] (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Progresso de Tatuí. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  7. ↑ "Mercado: Corinthians contrata Rodinei, lateral direito do Avaí" [Market: Corinthians sign Rodinei, Avaí right back] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Sambafoot. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  8. ↑ "Zizao até pedala na estreia, mas Cruzeiro joga bem e bate desfalcado Corinthians" [Zizao even does stepovers in his debut, but Cruzeiro play well and defeat understaffed Corinthians] (in Brazilian Portuguese). iG. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  9. ↑ "Lateral rescinde com o Corinthians e volta a treinar no elenco do Avaí" [Full-back rescinds with Corinthians and returns to training with the Avaí squad] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  10. ↑ "Rodinei é emprestado" [Rodinei is loaned] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Avaí FC. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  11. ↑ "Lateral-direito Rodinei, emprestado à Penapolense, deve retornar para o Avaí" [Right-back Rodinei, loaned to Penapolense, might return to Avaí] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ND+. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  12. ↑ "Ponte contrata lateral Rodinei e atacante Alexandre, vice artilheiro do Mineiro; três jogos treino estão confirmados" [Ponte sign full back Rodinei and forward Alexandre, second top goalscorer of the Mineiro; training matches are confirmed] (in Brazilian Portuguese). AA Ponte Preta. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  13. ↑ "De desconhecido à peça importante na Macaca, Rodinei renova contrato para 2015, relembra seu gol e diz que momento vai ficar marcado na sua vida" [From unknown to important player at the Macaca, Rodinei renews contract for 2015, remembers his goal and says that moment will be remembered in his life] (in Brazilian Portuguese). AA Ponte Preta. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  14. ↑ "Rodinei supera bullying no Corinthians e transforma "bom de bola" em elogio" [Rodinei overcomes bullying at Corinthians and turns "baller" into a praise] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  15. ↑ "Flamengo acerta contratação de lateral-direito Rodinei, ex-Ponte Preta" [Flamengo sign right-back Rodinei, formerly of Ponte Preta] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Goal.com. 11 December 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  16. ↑ "Flamengo assina com lateral-direito Rodinei, ex-Ponte, por quatro anos" [Flamengo sign with right-back Rodinei, formerly of Ponte, for four years] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 11 December 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  17. ↑ "Rodinei tem nova oportunidade e grande responsabilidade no Flamengo" [Rodinei has a new opportunity and a big responsibility at Flamengo] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Terra. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  18. ↑ "Flamengo renova contratos com lateral Rodinei e zagueiro Thuler" [Flamengo renew contracts with full back Rodinei and stopper Thuler] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  19. ↑ "Inter fecha contratação de Rodinei, do Flamengo, por empréstimo" [Inter sign Rodinei, from Flamengo, on loan]. GloboEsporte.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). 23 December 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  20. ↑ "Inter anuncia acordo com o Flamengo para prorrogar empréstimo de Rodinei" [Inter announce deal with Flamengo to extend Rodinei's loan] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  21. ↑ "O jogo de R$ 1 milhão: bola na trave, expulsão e números da atuação de Rodinei contra o Flamengo" [The R$ 1 million match: a shot off the post, ejection and numbers of Rodinei's performance against Flamengo] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Zero Hora. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  22. ↑ "Apesar das boas apresentações e números positivos, Rodinei não ficará no Inter" [In spite of good performances and positive numbers, Rodinei will not stay at Inter] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Zero Hora. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  23. ↑ "Ele voltou! Rodinei se reapresenta ao Flamengo e é recebido com carinho por Diego" [He is back! Rodinei reports back to Flamengo and is warmly welcomed by Diego] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  24. ↑ "Rodinei desabafa no Flamengo, fala em perseguição e dispara: 'Se fosse grande marcador, estaria no Real Madrid'" [Rodinei opens up at Flamengo, speaks of being singled out, and fires back: 'If I were a great defender, I would be at Real Madrid'] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  25. ↑ "Rodinei signs to Olympiacos". Olympiacos. 11 December 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  26. ↑ "Right-back renews and will not play with Renato Gaúcho at Grêmio". FootBoom1. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  27. ↑ "Τέλος ο Ροντινέι από τον Ολυμπιακό" [Rodinei leaves Olympiacos] (in Greek). BN Sports. 2 September 2026. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  28. ↑ "Santos FC contrata lateral-direito Rodinei" [Santos FC sign right-back Rodinei] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 2 September 2026. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
  29. ↑ Rodinei at Soccerway. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  30. ↑ Unwin, Will (23 November 2019). "Flamengo 2–1 River Plate: Copa Libertadores final – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  31. ↑ "Gabi Leads Flamengo To Libertadores Title". CONMEBOL Libertadores. 30 October 2022. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  32. ↑ "Firmino writes Liverpool into Club World Cup history". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  33. ↑ "Κυπελλούχος Ελλάδας Betsson 2025 ο Ολυμπιακός". EPO (in Greek). 17 May 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  34. ↑ "El Kaabi swoops to secure Greece's first major European trophy". UEFA. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  35. ↑ "Vasco lidera seleção do Carioca, que ainda traz Ribamar e Willian Arão". Globoesporte.com. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  36. ↑ "Troféu Mesa Redonda: Rodinei é eleito melhor lateral direito do Brasileirão". Vídeos - Gazeta Esportiva.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  37. ↑ Redação (19 November 2022). "Premiação coloca tatuiano Rodinei na escalação ideal do "Brasileirão"". O Progresso de Tatuí (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  38. ↑ "Com Ferreira como craque, FGF divulga a seleção e os destaques do Gauchão Ipiranga 2021". fgf.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  39. ↑ "Βραβεία ΠΣΑΠΠ: Η κορυφαία 11άδα της χρονιάς, ισοψήφισαν για τη θέση του φορ οι Ιωαννίδης - Μπακαμπού (vid) | Gazzetta". www.gazzetta.gr (in Greek). 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  40. ↑ "Αυτή είναι η καλύτερη ενδεκάδα της περσινής σεζόν". www.sport24.gr (in Greek). 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  41. ↑ "Most Greece Super League 2024/25 assists".