Rodrigo Muniz addresses personal struggles following Newcastle draw
Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz has opened up about the personal challenges he faced during the previous campaign, revealing that his wife suffered a miscarriage. The 25-year-old Brazilian forward spoke about the difficult period following his equalizing goal in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United on Saturday. This strike marked his first Premier League goal since the opening match of the 2023-24 season. The striker underwent surgery for a hamstring issue in November of last year, a procedure that sidelined him until early February. Reflecting on the intersection of his professional and private life, Muniz stated, “Last season was really difficult for me because, now I can say it, but I had the surgery. My wife was pregnant last season and, unfortunately, we lost the baby, but God is good all the time and now she’s pregnant again.”
Seeking increased playing time under Alvaro Arbeloa
The goal against Newcastle served as a milestone for the forward, who has struggled to secure consistent minutes in the current campaign. Muniz dedicated the effort to his family, expressing optimism that the current season would yield different results than the last. Across his time at the London club since arriving from Flamengo in 2021, Muniz has recorded 19 goals and three assists in 86 Premier League appearances.
Despite his contributions, including goals in Carabao Cup victories over AFC Wimbledon and West Ham United this season, Muniz has found himself restricted to a bench role. Under manager Alvaro Arbeloa, all eight of his Premier League appearances this season have come as a substitute. Addressing his current standing in the squad, Muniz emphasized his commitment to training and his desire to contribute more significantly to the team’s efforts.
“I train hard every week to get opportunities to play and I want to play more,” Muniz said. “I cannot control the gaffer, but I showed the gaffer I want to play more. I have to keep training hard, for him to say, ‘OK, now is your time’, and then I’m ready.”
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