Gerson Rodrigues said in an interview on YouTube he is hopeful for a return to the national team despite his suspension following a domestic violence conviction.
Rodrigues is currently suspended from the national team after being sentenced to 18 months’ probation for domestic violence and assault. The striker last played for Luxembourg in June.
“I haven’t finished my story yet,” Rodrigues said. “For the moment, things are what they are. But who’s to say that in the future we can’t write Luxembourg’s history together?”
The sports food supplement brand Alpha Labz published an interview with Rodrigues on its YouTube channel this week.
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The former Luxembourg international currently plays for Kanchanaburi FC in Thailand. In 18 appearances for his new club, the 30-year-old has scored three goals – 10,000 kilometres away from home.
“I feel the responsibility,” said Luxembourg’s record goal scorer. “The shirt weighs a lot, but I’ve worn it for a long time. I’ve always tried to make my team, my nation, my country visible to the world.”
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Pride and self-criticism
The 30-year-old also gave a rare glimpse into his personal life: “People often only see what they are told, but the truth is deeper,” he said.
What can I do to be a better person?
Gerson Rodrigues
He also said press caused him considerable suffering last summer. “The media helped me a lot, especially when I first started out. But they also destroyed me in many ways. With experience, you learn to be careful who you confide in. Some things stay with you for the rest of your life. Bad comments always travel faster than good ones.”
Gerson Rodrigues wants to play for Luxembourg again © Photo credit: Yann Hellers
“I’m now at an age where I can’t make decisions lightly; I have to think carefully beforehand,” he said. “In the past, when I was young, I perhaps didn’t think as much. You do something without considering the consequences. But karma always comes back.”
“I sit in front of the mirror, look at myself, and ask: what can I do to be a better person?”
Today, he said, he’s getting better at it. “Certain stages of my life have been instructive. I’m proud of myself, especially because I’ve found myself. I’ve fallen down a lot in my life, and now I know how to get back up again.”
(This article was originally published on the website of the Luxemburger Wort. AI translated, with adaptation by Lucrezia Reale.)
