Rodrygo Taps Into A Childhood Love of John Cena to Fuel His Game Day Energy
From “You Can’t See Me” goal celebrations to childhood memories of John Cena and The Rock, Rodrygo channels pro wrestling energy to stay locked in. Now starring in Powerade’s “Power of Pause” campaign, the Real Madrid star has his sights set on scoring goals—and maybe a Disney trip—stateside this summer.
Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes is no stranger to high-stakes moments like the Champions League, El Clásico, and the pressure of carrying the hopes of Brazil’s next generation. But in the middle of it all, Rodrygo has learned that finding power isn’t just about pushing forward. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to pause.
That message is at the heart of Powerade’s new Power of Pause campaign, which Rodrygo says felt like the perfect fit. “It felt right because it really represents my journey,” Rodrygo tells Complex. “I’ve had moments in my career where I had to pause, reset mentally, and come back stronger. That’s what this campaign is all about.”
The campaign explores the often-overlooked power of slowing down, mentally and physically, to regain clarity and strength. For Rodrygo, those pauses happen just before the action starts. “Right before a big game, I try to center myself. Being strong mentally is everything. If your mind is right, your body follows,” he says.
Game day rituals? Rodrygo keeps it classic with a global flair. “I listen to a little bit of everything, like reggaetón, Brazilian rap. It helps me get in the zone,” he says.
But when the whistle blows and the goals start coming, Rodrygo turns up the energy, and sometimes it's with a little help from the WWE. “I’ve always been a big fan. John Cena was my favorite growing up,” he says. “Some of my goal celebrations are inspired by him. I did one recently that was just like his You Can’t See Me,” Rodrygo laughs, throwing up the iconic gesture.
“I’ve always wanted to do more WWE-style celebrations. I haven’t done the full entrance or anything crazy yet, but I’ve definitely thought about it,” he adds. “One day, maybe I'll hit a full WrestleMania tribute after scoring.”
The influence is real. While most footballers turn to music or meditation before matches, Rodrygo is just as likely to pull hype from a vintage WWE highlight reel as he is from his playlist.
“I grew up watching all of it with John Cena, The Rock, even the crazy entrances,” he says. “WWE had such a big impact on my childhood, and I still carry that energy into matches.”
When asked what success means to him these days, Rodrygo doesn’t talk about trophies or headlines. “Success, for me, is being mentally healthy and being good with my family. That’s when I’m at peace, and that’s when I play my best,” he says.
Despite the global spotlight that’s followed him since his teenage years, Rodrygo stays grounded in authenticity. “The most important thing is to always be myself, no matter the situation.”
And while fans may know him as a football prodigy, there’s a lesser-known side to Rodrygo: he’s a fan of other sports, especially skateboarding and basketball. It’s part of his balance, his “pause” away from the pitch. “A lot of people don’t know this, but I love other sports. They help me reset and stay inspired.”
With the Club World Cup bringing Rodrygo stateside this summer, he’s eyeing a few bucket-list moments. “Ideally, I’d like to go to Disney World in Orlando. I’ve been before, but would like to make the most of it this next time I go.”
From the pitch to Powerade, from Brazil to the Bernabéu, (and with just a splash of WWE flair) Rodrygo is a global talent who knows the value of slowing down to keep moving forward. And with Powerade’s Power of Pause campaign, he’s reminding the world that strength isn’t just in the sprint, it’s in the stillness too.
