Rodrigo Mora: ‘Football is crazy sometimes, Cristiano Ronaldo my idol’

ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 07: Rodrigo Mora of AS Roma passes the ball during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Sassuolo at Stadio Olimpico on November 07, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Rodrigo Mora concedes ‘football is crazy’ after scoring his third consecutive Serie A goal for Roma and looks forward to a senior Portugal debut even without ‘idol’ Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 19-year-old talent was a big investment this summer from FC Porto, secured for €25m for effectively only half his contract.

It took a while for him to make his mark in the Giallorossi jersey, but this evening he scored in the 3-0 win over Sassuolo, his third consecutive Serie A match on target.

Rodrigo Mora happy at Roma

“It was a very good pass from Malen, I tried my luck, and I was happy to score another important goal, so Roma keep pushing with another win,” Mora told Sky Sport Italia.

He now has four goals in nine Serie A games, plus two assists in four Champions League appearances under Gian Piero Gasperini.

“When I arrived here, I thought we were strong. Every time I training I thought we were a very good team, we are proving that in the match and need to keep this momentum going.”

Mora seems to have really hit his stride in the last month, as after struggling to even get into the starting XI, he has flourished in recent weeks.

“Football is crazy, because one day you don’t play, the next you play. I was ready, now it’s my third goal in a row, so it’s important to always be ready when the moment comes.”

Rodrigo Mora has also received a call-up for the senior Portugal squad, which will be a very different team now that Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international duty.

“It’s a very proud moment for me and my family, it is always a pleasure to play for Portugal. Now Cristiano is not there, but is an idol for everyone in Portugal, including me. I learned a lot when I came to the national team, I am very happy to be there.”