Roderick Jefferson Gonçalves Miranda (born 30 March 1991), known as Roderick, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Melbourne Victory in the A-League Men, where he also serves as captain. Having started his professional career at Benfica, he made 103 Primeira Liga appearances mainly for Rio Ave as well as Famalicão. He also played in Switzerland, Spain, England, Greece, Turkey and Australia.

Club career

Benfica

Born in Odivelas, Roderick arrived in Benfica's youth academy in 2000 (aged nine), from Lisbon neighbours Odivelas. He was promoted to the first team nine years later after having played in all the youth ranks, and made his debut on 17 December 2009 in a dead rubber game in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, featuring for the full 90 minutes of a 2–1 home win against AEK Athens. His only other appearance was on 13 January, in a 1–1 away draw with Vitória de Guimarães in the Taça da Liga round-robin. Roderick played his first game in the Primeira Liga on 7 November 2010, as a 73rd-minute substitute for Carlos Martins in a 5–0 loss at Porto in O Clássico. For 2011–12, he was loaned to Servette in Switzerland – coached by former Benfica player João Alves – in a season-long move. On 31 July 2012, Roderick joined Deportivo de La Coruña of La Liga, also on loan for a season. He made four appearances, starting with a 1–1 draw at Athletic Bilbao in which he requested his substitution through injury; he returned to the Estádio da Luz in the following transfer window. In one of only two league matches in the 2012–13 campaign, Roderick came on away to Porto in the penultimate round of fixtures, with both teams competing for the title; he was marking Kelvin, who scored the added-time winner. He said years later that manager Jorge Jesus did not blame him for the defeat.

Rio Ave

Roderick was released by Benfica in August 2013, signing a five-year deal with Rio Ave. In January 2015, he suffered an Achilles tendon injury against Gil Vicente, and was ruled out for the rest of the season. On 18 March 2016, nearing his 25th birthday, Roderick scored his first senior goal, a header that was the only one in a home game with Marítimo. He netted three times in 33 games in the following campaign, helping to a seventh-place finish.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 13 June 2017, Roderick joined English Championship team Wolverhampton Wanderers on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut on 5 August, playing the whole of a 1–0 home victory over Middlesbrough. Roderick continued in the league team for 14 matches, before falling out of favour with manager Nuno Espírito Santo. He finished the season with 19 appearances in all competitions, as Wolves were promoted as champions. On 11 July 2018, Roderick joined Super League Greece club Olympiacos on a season-long loan. On 1 September 2019, he moved to Famalicão, newly promoted to the Portuguese top division, again on loan. He played regularly as the team finished sixth, scoring two goals, and was sent off in the 34th minute of a 2–2 draw at nearby Braga on 3 November for a foul on Galeno.

Later career

On 1 February 2021, shortly after agreeing to part ways with Wolverhampton, Roderick moved to Gaziantep of the Turkish Süper Lig on a five-month deal. On 1 October, he agreed to a two-year contract at Melbourne Victory. Roderick was appointed new team captain in October 2023, replacing the departed Joshua Brillante.

International career

Of Brazilian descent through his parents, Roderick chose to represent Portugal internationally and went on to win 45 caps at youth level. He represented the under-20 team that finished as runners-up at the 2011 FIFA World Cup in Colombia, often partnering Sporting CP's Nuno Reis.

Career statistics

Honours

Benfica Rio Ave Wolverhampton Wanderers Portugal U20 Individual Orders