It is not easy to convince Manuel Pellegrini coming from the quarry, but Jesús Rodríguez has something different. The player born in Alcalá de Guadaíra in November 2005 He made his official debut with Betis in the Copa del Rey match against Gévorain Extremadura. The winger showed his best qualities – dribbling, speed, audacity… -, but Relevo wanted to delve into the curious story of a footballer who went through the youth team of the other team in the city, Sevilla. Now, he celebrates the goals with his fingers looking at the sky, in memory of his grandfather, a true Betician who never saw him in the green-and-white shirt.
His journeys in football began in Atlético Oromanahis neighborhood team, until in his second year he made the jump to Sevilla. On the Utrera highway, Jesús Rodríguez He left details that some coaches liked, but, finally, three years later they ended up showing him the door. An important suit, based, according to some sources, in the weak physique he had at that time. Although it didn’t take long for the man from Alcala to silence his mouth.
After two seasons wearing the Nervión shirt, Betis knocks on the same door that Sevilla closed years ago… and definitively acquires the services of a very special footballer. Alberto Gálvez, journalist and coach of Jesús Rodríguez in the 2020/21 season, remembers the player in Relevo: “He kicked me out of the Nervión. He was injured and he was the player who made the difference. We started to lose and draw without him,” he admits with a laugh.
“The boy was wonderfulit was nice to see it. He was already fast, with good dribbling… and with a goal, which is what makes you different,” says Alberto while acknowledging that “he didn’t have the physique he has now.” When asked about the ‘Jesus’ Rodríguez, a person, is full of praise: “When I met him he seemed introverted, but nothing like that. Even injured he was involved with everyone. I always say that he has the mischief of a neighborhood child, but the kindness of a village child.. He’s a lovely guy, and the family also does a lot. Parents are to be eaten.”
In fact, his own parents showed Alberto that their son would go far in life – not necessarily in football – with one detail. It happened when he was still under his orders, in the Nervión: “His father met with me and asked me if I could talk to Jesus so that he could wake up in his studies.which was fair at that time. It was my only serious talk with him.and I still keep in touch,” he recalls with a smile.
And Jesús Rodríguez left his mark on Alberto y el Nervión. Both on a football and personal level, especially in the locker room, where no type of discomfort arose due to his advanced steps: “When he was with me he already started training with Betis a few days. It was normal, it was already very good. And his teammates took it well because they understood him. If he didn’t go, who was going to go? “Plus he was a very good guy with everyone, he was still very involved.”
One of the most special games for Jesús Rodríguez was on the same field where years ago his wings were clipped: that of Sevilla. Alberto’s Nervión managed to beat the Nervionenses at home, an achievement for any team that visits the sports city in these conditions. A day when he rowed like no one else: “We won 0-1 with a goal from him fifteen minutes after starting. But Then we made a ‘cholist’ approach and he defended it as the one that most. And that wasn’t what was best for him, but that’s Jesus.”
And Jesús demonstrated all that from the first day he arrived at the Betis youth academy. He signed in his first year as a junior. Last season he trained with the División de Honor, the first reserve team, and even placed himself under the command of Manuel Pellegrini.but his debut did not finally arrive. However, now his time has come. After being crowned European champion with Spain under-19 In the summer, the young winger took advantage of the opportunity that the Chilean gave him in the Copa del Rey, leaving Vítor Roque a goal at will after great control. The Brazilian thanked him at the celebration… and in that moment all the effort and sacrifice he made since he was a child made sense. A dream come true. With his mind in heaven, with his grandfather. A faithful Betic.
Furthermore, beyond being one of the greatest pearls of the Betis youth academy, Jesús Rodríguez It has some characteristics that Manuel Pellegrini needs. Before getting injured with the reserve team, a little over a month ago, the Chilean called him for training and his overflow on the right wing – he places him there because that is where he needs it the most, which is why he debuted in that position – surprised and convinced everyone. His personality is strong, something that the coach also likes. Time will tell if he ends up having more continuity this season in the first team, but in the Heliopolitan entity they are clear: they have a true gem in their ranks.
