Football often takes its young stars on unexpected journeys. For Rafael Rodrigues, that path now leads far from home. The promising left-back is heading to the United Arab Emirates, set to join Al Ain on a loan deal. It’s a big step for the Benfica player, marking his first time playing professional football outside of Portugal.
Rodrigues, an Under-21 international, spent last season on loan at AVS. He worked hard there, building experience. However, back at Benfica, a decision was made. Coach Lage opted for a different player, bringing in Obrador for the same position. This meant Rodrigues, despite being under contract with the Eagles, needed a new place to play.
So, both the club and the player started looking for a solution. Plenty of teams showed interest in the talented left-footer. But out of all the choices, Rodrigues made a clear decision. He chose the Middle East, a move that will shape his career for the coming season. This new adventure with Al Ain is where he’ll continue to grow, at least for the next year.
