Rodrigo Da Silva: Pahang Rangers' New Brazilian Weapon Is Already Delivering
Thirteen goals, three MVP awards and a partnership with Felipe De Souza that has produced more than half of Pahang Rangers' goals. Rodriguinho has justified every expectation.
Pahang Rangers made no secret of their ambitions when they announced the signing of Rodrigo da Silva, known in Brazil as Rodriguinho, ahead of the 2026 Malaysia Premier Futsal League season.
With Felipe De Souza already established as one of the division's premier scorers, the addition of a second Brazilian strike threat signalled a squad built to win, not merely to compete. Four circuits in, Rodrigo has justified every expectation.
The winger has scored 13 goals from eight appearances, collecting three MVP awards along the way, the joint highest tally of any player in the division through this stage of the season. His route to Pahang is a well-travelled one: a career forged in Brazil, a stint in Spain, time in China's futsal league, before the MPFL came calling.
Coach Eloy Alonso, who has built Pahang Rangers into the most consistent side outside Selangor over recent seasons, identified Rodrigo as the wide threat to complement De Souza's work in the pivot.
The partnership has been devastating. In the 19-2 dismantling of Wipers in circuit two, Rodrigo opened with four goals, in the 1st, 4th, 17th and 21st minutes, earning the MVP award in a performance that set the tone for what was to follow. He was equally decisive in the 6-1 win over KL City, where two goals and a second successive MVP award underlined his ability to perform when the opposition is organised rather than overwhelmed. Three goals against USM in circuit three made it a third MVP in four outings, a run of form that few players in MPFL history can have matched.
His combination with De Souza gives Pahang Rangers a two-pronged attacking threat of genuine quality. Where De Souza operates through the centre, occupying and exploiting the pivot position, Rodrigo provides width and pace, arriving late into areas and finishing with the efficiency of a player who has spent a career in professional futsal environments. The two Brazilians have contributed 29 of Pahang's 51 goals in the 2026 season, more than half the club's total output.
Pahang Rangers lie second, behind only an unbeaten Selangor side. The title race has several circuits left to run. If Rodrigo da Silva continues at his current rate, Eloy Alonso's side will be in contention until the final matchday.
