From Rodrigo Possebon at www.contacttheplayers.com
Rodrigo Possebon is a midfielder for Manchester United in the English Premier League. He is a tough-tackling central midfielder who is also gifted with an elegant touch, and the ability to read the game well. He can also play on the right-hand side of midfield, and has the technical ability to beat his man.
Rodrigo Possebon was born on 13th February 1989, in Sapucaia, on the outskirts of Porte Alegre. He loved playing football as a child, and was often used as his local team’s main striker.
Local club Internacional scouted Possebon, and signed him up to their youth academy when he was 14 years old. It was at Internacional that he became a more defensively-minded footballer, though his attacking qualities are still frequently apparent in his game.
It was whilst he was playing in the Internacional reserves that Possebon was spotted by a Manchester United scout. The scout was watching the progress of Brazilian twins Fabio and Rafael (both now at United) and was impressed by Rodrigo’s composure on the ball.
Rodrigo Possebon signed for Manchester United in January 2008, aged just 18, without having played a single game for Internacional. Because he holds an Italian passports there were no work-permit regulations to fulfil, so Rodrigo could easily move to Manchester. He spent the end of the season travelling with the first-team and adapting to the pace of the English game, getting himself ready for the 08/09 season.
Possebon made his debut in United’s first league match of the season, coming on for Ryan Giggs against Newcastle on August 17th. His crisp passing and intelligent running did not seem out of place in the first-team.
Possebon hit the headlines when Sir Alex Ferguson criticised Emanuel Pogatetz, who had charged in at Possebon and almost broken Rodrigo’s leg in a league cup match. Many Brazilians suddenly became aware that a fellow countryman was now playing for Manchester United when it was reported back in his homeland.