Inner peace, mental health, and technique define Rodrigo Neri’s growth on and off the field.
20-year-old Rodrigo Neri has dedicated his life to soccer, currently showcasing his talents as a striker for Atlanta United 2. His career has been focused on the sport he loves, culminating in his present role with the second team.
Born in Miami, Neri moved with his family to Venezuela at age two before relocating to Spain at nine years old to further his soccer development. He eventually returned to his home country to play in Atlanta as an exciting prospect playing up top. Navigating these significant life changes and geographical moves at a young age speaks to Neri’s adaptability and resilience in pursuing his career.
“Surprisingly, no one in my family plays soccer,” Neri told Scarves and Spikes. “I’m the first one, so they supported me, which is amazing… and they’ve always pushed me to be the best version of myself.”
Neri joined Atlanta United 2 in July 2024, but he did not have an easy start on the team. In multiple press conferences, Head Coach Steve Cooke mentioned that Neri joined the team with the hopes of immediately getting called up to the first team.
After nine months, Cooke points out Neri’s technical and mental improvements on the field.
“Yeah, when he first came in, I think he came in with an attitude of a big time player from Europe thinking he was just going to walk in and come into America and show us all how to play futbol,” said Head Coach Steve Cooke. “Now I think he’s got a much better head on his shoulders. He is the first in the morning, he is one of the last to leave. I think he is probably the most improved player, for sure in the group.”
Neri notices this improvement in himself and has been working on finding his peace on the field. One of his biggest struggles was mental health and allowing other people’s comments to affect him.
“I have an amazing person that helps me with it…and I’ve become like way stronger as a person than I was before mentality-wise,” Neri said. “My mentality is untouchable now, and I’m certain that maybe two years ago it was the opposite. It was a weakness of mine, and now it’s become a strength.”
Captain Javier Armas has been one of Neri’s mentors on and off the field. Armas spent nine years at the Deportivo de la Coruña Academy in Spain before his time at Atlanta United 2. Neri relies on Armas for his wisdom and for his mature and advanced career.
“They’re the ones who push each other, and they’re the ones who hold each other to high standards,” Cooke said. “They share the same language, they share some similar experiences in clubs in Spain, and I think to have Javi Armas as a mentor, if that’s who you’ve chosen, is a big, big thing.”
Neri and Armas are two of the top scorers on the team alongside Moises Tablante. Neri scored a brace this season against Chattanooga FC after he was subbed in the second half.
Rodrigo Neri scoring his first goal of the match against Chattanooga FC at Fifth Third Stadium. Photo taken by Erin Cater.
Having joined from Valencia CF’s U19 team, Neri has scored seven goals in thirteen matches for the U.S. Youth National Teams and, during his time with Atlanta United 2, has tallied five goals with thirteen shots on target.
“He’s always very, very good in and around the box, right, so he’s always got that technical ability to score goals,” Cooke said. “He’s actually now a much more well-rounded team player and a much more well-rounded defender. I think he’s leading the front line now rather than just waiting for the goals to come.”
A highlight for Neri this season was when Atlanta United’s first team called him up for the Cincinnati game. Neri did sit on the bench the entire match, but he felt so close to accomplishing his goal.
“I knew I was right here,” Neri said. “Every time I get those opportunities, I take them as a learning experience and as an opportunity to grow, and that’s what I try to do every training session with the first team, with my team, with anyone. Just try to learn as much as possible and grow as much as possible.”
Off the field, Neri enjoys spending time with his teammates, but he mainly unwinds after practice by watching anime. Once he gets home, he eats, watches anime, reads a book, and takes a nap.
“I watch like three episodes a day, roughly,” Neri said.
His obsession with anime is not a secret. The entire team, including Steve Cooke, has heard about how much Neri watches anime after practice.
“I think he is certainly a unique individual. He’s certainly someone who’s got some quirks, I’m sure that like all of us do,” Cooke said. “I’ve not seen him do the anime thing or watch it, and I hope I never do frankly.”
Another aspect that is important in Neri’s life is his faith. He has a tattoo on his forearm that is “Joshua 1:9” which states, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
“That verse is just it’s an example of that me, myself, maybe I’m not strong enough, but I have the power of Jesus with me, so I can do anything, and I’m certain of it,” Neri said. “It just it’s a reminder of every day to keep pushing.”
As an up-and-coming striker for Atlanta United 2, Neri’s contract concludes on December 31, 2025, with his aspirations set on securing a first-team contract.
Nice to read more about Neris. I’ve noticed his name popping up a lot in the AU2 updates.
He is a solid prospect who could play his way into the striker depth next season.