In an exclusive interview with GE Globo, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes discussed the penalty miss he made for Brazil against Croatia during the 2022 FIFA World Cup as the “worst moment of his career.”

The 22-year-old attacker, who disclosed in the same interview that he came very close to joining Barcelona before choosing Real Madrid, said that he views missing the penalty during the shootout against Croatia as the lowest point of his professional career thus far.

In the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar, Brazil played Croatia. In ordinary time, the score remained scoreless, prompting overtime.

Bruno Petkovic scored for Europe late in the second half of extra time to equalize the game and force penalties after Neymar’s goal for Brazil.

After Nikola Vlasic successfully converted Croatia’s first penalty kick in the shootouts, Brazil was under pressure to perform correctly.

Rodrygo put himself under pressure to go up and score the Selecao’s first penalty, but he was unsuccessful. Brazil ultimately lost 4-2 on penalties, and Marquinhos was also a no-show.

Now, Rodrygo thought back on his missed opportunity against Croatia and acknowledged that it was the most upsetting time in his career thus far.

Was the missed penalty the worst thing that has happened to me? Yes, from my professional life. The World Cup was everyone’s dream accomplishment. I am aware that I still have a lot of Cups to compete in, but that was our goal and that is how we handled the draw and the subsequent penalty shootout, he said.

“It was undoubtedly the most terrible time in my professional life. Regardless matter the challenges I face, I always go forward. The 22-year-old continued, “It’s normal.

Despite missing from the spot for Brazil, Rodrygo is not avoiding the burden and is now one of the leading candidates to replace Karim Benzema as Real Madrid’s primary penalty taker.