Last year, when Rodrigo Muniz was still loaned by Fulham to Middlesbrough, there were rumours saying he could leave European football.
The striker was having a tough time in the Championship and came close to signing for Grêmio, but ended up staying in England, where the Whites chose to have him back at the club.
The story was now told by Muniz himself in an interview with TNT Sports. Speaking to reporter Fred Caldeira, he explained he’d nearly decided to leave Fulham again, and Marco Silva changed everything.
“Before pre-season Marco Silva called me, he spoke to me and said, Rodrigo, unfortunately things didn’t happen there, but I want to count on you in pre-season.
“I set up a group of people to help me work in pre-season and I got here very well. Then is the second week all the offers came and the club had already said ‘no, Rodrigo is staying’.
“The first game of the season I start against Brentford. Like, not playing in the Championship, coming in for the first game of the season and starting. Then I did well and in the next training session I hurt my thigh. Then I was out for a month…
“No, that’s crazy, my head was like, well, just now. It felt like things were going to happen. And Marco Silva talking to me, saying, ‘calm down, it’ll be the same when you get back’.”
Playing for Fulham this season, Muniz had ten goals and one assist in 33 appearances. Despite some ups and downs until December, he ended up being a regular starter for the club in 2024.
The striker is protected by the Craven Cottage side with a contract until 2026, with a club option for another year, and it doesn’t really seem like a return to Brazil is on his mind, even though he’s often linked to clubs from his home country.
Marco Silva is often praised by Portuguese and Brazilian players, and this seems to be another case of a good relationship.
