Brazilian player Rodrygo has shared his observations on the differing cultural impact of football in Brazil compared to the United States during the World Cup. He noted that the World Cup atmosphere in the US is largely confined to stadiums and fan festivals, with football having "limited traction in North American culture" due to competition from sports like NFL, baseball, and basketball.
Conversely, Rodrygo emphasized football's "extremely important role in Brazilian culture," where the national team at the World Cup becomes "the centre of our universe." He described how Brazilians cherish good football, with games readily available on television, and view the World Cup as an opportunity for the nation to express pride.
Rodrygo, a 25‑year‑old Brazilian winger, moved from Santos to Real Madrid in 2019. He is a Brazil national team player, debuted in 2019 and featured at the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América. His contract with Real Madrid runs until 2028.