Last Updated on September 23, 2026 by Laurinda Jocias
Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos is a Brazilian professional footballer whose family story is closely connected to the sport. Born on March 12, 2002, Rodrigues spent his early childhood in Brazil before moving to the United States and settling in the Houston area. After starring at Cypress Ranch High School, the University of Memphis and Marshall University, he was selected by Real Salt Lake in the first round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft and eventually signed an MLS contract with the club in August 2026.
Football entered Lineker’s life through his father, who played professionally in Brazil and became his first coach. His father was also such an admirer of former England striker Gary Lineker that he named his son after him. Lineker initially moved to the United States with his mother, while his father joined them later. However, the names of his parents have not been reliably published, and dependable sources do not identify any brothers or sisters. As of now, there is also no reliable public confirmation that Rodrigues has a girlfriend, wife or children.
Does Lineker Rodrigues Have a Girlfriend?
As of now, Lineker Rodrigues has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend through Real Salt Lake, his former universities or another reliable established source.
Although Rodrigues has become increasingly visible since breaking into Major League Soccer, interviews about his personal life have focused primarily on his parents, childhood in Brazil, move to the United States and the coaches who helped him develop.
No authoritative report currently identifies a girlfriend or long-term partner by name. For that reason, social-media interactions should not be treated as evidence that a particular person is in a relationship with Rodrigues unless he publicly confirms it.
Is Lineker Rodrigues Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Lineker Rodrigues is married.
Real Salt Lake’s official profile and recent interviews do not identify a wife or fiancée. The most reliable information about his private life remains centered on his parents and their role in his football journey.
Does Lineker Rodrigues Have Children?
As of now, there is no reliable public information confirming that Lineker Rodrigues has children.
Neither Rodrigues nor Real Salt Lake has publicly described him as a father. Claims that he has a son or daughter would therefore be speculative without stronger evidence.
Who Are Lineker Rodrigues’s Parents?
The names of Lineker Rodrigues’s mother and father have not been reliably published by Real Salt Lake, the University of Memphis, Marshall University or another authoritative source.
What is firmly documented, however, is that both parents played important roles during the major transition that took Lineker from Brazil to the United States.
His father had a football career of his own and became Lineker’s first coach. His mother, meanwhile, was the parent with whom Lineker initially lived after arriving in Texas, while his father remained in Brazil for a period before joining them.
That family move ultimately allowed Rodrigues to combine Brazilian football foundations with an American high-school and college pathway.
Lineker Rodrigues’s Father
Lineker’s father was a professional footballer in Brazil.
Rodrigues confirmed this background while discussing the people who first convinced him that becoming a professional player was possible.
When asked about his earliest major football influence, Lineker immediately referred to his father and explained that his dad had been his first coach.
This means Rodrigues grew up receiving instruction from someone who had firsthand experience of the professional game.
His Father Was Lineker’s First Coach
Before academies, American high-school soccer or NCAA competition entered the picture, Lineker learned football under his father’s guidance.
Rodrigues grew up playing futsal in Brazil, which helped him develop the close control and technical confidence that later impressed coaches in the United States.
His father’s background provided an obvious football connection inside the household and gave the young attacker an early example of professional sport.
Years later, after reaching MLS, Rodrigues still identified his father as the first coach who made an important difference in his development.
Why Is Lineker Rodrigues Named Lineker?
The story behind Rodrigues’s first name comes directly from his father’s love of football.
His father was a major admirer of Gary Lineker, the former Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and England striker.
Because of that admiration, he chose the name Lineker for his son.
The name proved particularly fitting because Rodrigues eventually became an attacking player himself, following his father into football and building a professional career thousands of kilometers away from Brazil.
Gary Lineker’s Influence on the Rodrigues Family
Gary Lineker was one of the most prominent forwards in world football during the 1980s and early 1990s.
Lineker Rodrigues was born years after the English striker retired, but his father’s admiration for him remained strong enough to influence the family’s choice of name.
It is an unusual connection between Brazilian and English football culture that became part of Rodrigues’s identity long before he reached Major League Soccer.
Lineker Rodrigues’s Mother
The name of Lineker Rodrigues’s mother has remained private.
However, a detailed account from his former Cypress Ranch High School coach provides an important glimpse into her role during the family’s move to the United States.
When Rodrigues first arrived in Texas as a teenager, he was living primarily with his mother while they waited for his father to join them.
Lineker spoke very little English at the time, making the transition considerably more difficult than simply moving to a new football club.
His mother was therefore present during one of the biggest cultural changes of his life as he adjusted from growing up in Brazil to attending an American high school.
Lineker Initially Moved to the United States With His Mother
Rodrigues’s move from Brazil to the United States was an important family transition.
Former Cypress Ranch coach Michael Garcia recalled that the young Brazilian arrived with very limited English and was living mainly with his mother while waiting for his father to come to the United States.
The family therefore did not necessarily complete the move at exactly the same time.
That situation helps explain why the support provided by his high-school coaches became particularly valuable. Lineker was adapting not only to a new soccer environment but also to a different language, school system and culture.
Does Lineker Rodrigues Have Siblings?
As of now, reliable public sources do not confirm whether Lineker Rodrigues has brothers or sisters.
Real Salt Lake, Memphis and Marshall profiles do not identify any siblings, and Rodrigues has not discussed brothers or sisters in the major interviews currently available.
This does not establish that he is an only child. It simply means that no sibling relationship can currently be confirmed with sufficient confidence.
People sharing the Rodrigues dos Santos surname should not automatically be presented as relatives because the surname is common in Brazil.
Lineker Rodrigues’s Childhood in Brazil
Rodrigues was born in Brazil on March 12, 2002. Real Salt Lake currently lists Rio de Janeiro as his birthplace, while the University of Memphis described him as being born in Rio das Ostras when announcing its 2021 recruiting class.
Regardless of that minor difference in official biographical records, his Brazilian upbringing is well established.
He played extensive futsal as a child, developing a style based on technique and comfort with the ball.
Those qualities were immediately noticeable once he moved to Texas.
Moving From Brazil to Houston
Rodrigues eventually settled in the Houston area and attended Cypress Ranch High School.
His arrival required a major adjustment.
He had spent his childhood speaking Portuguese and playing football in Brazil. In Texas, he suddenly had to learn English while adapting to American school life and a different soccer system.
His family provided the foundation behind that transition, but his high-school coaching staff also became an important support network.
Michael Garcia Became an Important Mentor
Cypress Ranch head coach Michael Garcia remembers immediately recognizing Rodrigues’s ability.
Rain had forced training indoors on the day Garcia first saw the Brazilian teenager play.
Within minutes, the coach realized that Lineker was technically ahead of most of the players around him.
Garcia would later help Rodrigues with much more than soccer.
Lineker credited him with helping him learn English and adjust to life away from the field as he adapted to the United States.
A Second Support System Away From Brazil
For an immigrant teenager learning a new language, having trusted adults outside the household became important.
Garcia said his priority was to create an environment in which Rodrigues felt comfortable enough to grow.
The relationship lasted well beyond high school.
More than a decade after they met, Garcia was still following Rodrigues’s professional career and communicating with him after major matches.
Lineker also maintained a close relationship with assistant coach Stephen Groppell.
Lineker Rodrigues Became a High-School Star
Once he settled into life in Texas, Rodrigues quickly became one of the standout players in the Houston-area high-school game.
The University of Memphis later noted that he was a two-time district Most Valuable Player at Cypress Ranch and earned First-Team All-Region recognition.
His technical level occasionally produced spectacular moments, and Garcia remembered opposing players even asking Rodrigues for autographs after high-school matches.
Despite the attention, his coach described Lineker as exceptionally humble.
Club Soccer in Houston
Rodrigues also competed at club level while building his American soccer résumé.
His development included time with the Houston Dynamo Academy, Dynamo SC and Albion Hurricanes FC.
He later represented AHFC Royals in USL League Two.
Those experiences gave Lineker a pathway into American college soccer at a time when a direct professional opportunity had not yet emerged.
Lineker Rodrigues at the University of Memphis
The University of Memphis recruited Rodrigues for its 2021 class.
His first season began a college career that eventually turned him into one of the leading attacking players in NCAA soccer.
By 2022, he had earned All-American Athletic Conference recognition.
His biggest Memphis season came in 2023.
Rodrigues started all 19 matches, scoring 14 goals and becoming the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
He was also named a United Soccer Coaches Third-Team All-American.
Lineker Rodrigues Transfers to Marshall
After three seasons with Memphis, Rodrigues transferred to Marshall University for his senior season in 2024.
The decision elevated his national profile even further.
Rodrigues became the focal point of one of college soccer’s strongest teams, scoring 15 goals and contributing five assists during Marshall’s run to the NCAA championship match.
He was named a First-Team All-American and became a semifinalist for the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy.
His Family Watched the MLS SuperDraft Together
One of the clearest recent glimpses into Rodrigues’s family life came during the 2025 MLS SuperDraft.
Real Salt Lake selected him with the 29th overall pick in the first round on December 20, 2024.
Rodrigues later said that he was with his family when his name appeared during the draft.
He described everyone becoming happy and excited when they realized that Real Salt Lake had selected him.
The moment represented a major family milestone for a player whose father had introduced him to football years earlier in Brazil and whose mother had helped him through the difficult move to Texas.
Lineker Rodrigues’s Difficult First Professional Year
Being drafted did not immediately allow Rodrigues to begin playing professionally.
A prolonged process converting his student status into the appropriate player visa prevented him from appearing for much of 2025.
He had to continue training while waiting for permission to compete.
The delay required considerable patience from a player who had just completed one of the best seasons of his life at Marshall.
When Rodrigues finally received clearance, he immediately showed his ability with Real Monarchs.
His First Professional Goal
Rodrigues scored only minutes into his professional debut for Real Monarchs.
Despite entering the season late because of the visa delay, he managed to score twice in limited 2025 action.
He then established himself as one of the Monarchs’ leading attackers in 2026, earning more opportunities to train with Real Salt Lake’s senior squad.
Lineker Rodrigues Makes His MLS Debut
Rodrigues made his Real Salt Lake debut on May 23, 2026, entering as a substitute against Minnesota United.
He later earned his first MLS start away against St. Louis CITY SC.
Those opportunities were significant because he had spent more than a year waiting between being drafted and establishing himself around the first team.
Real Salt Lake Signs Lineker Rodrigues
On August 10, 2026, Real Salt Lake officially announced that Rodrigues had signed an MLS contract.
The agreement runs through the 2027 Sprint Season and includes club options covering the following two MLS campaigns.
Rodrigues said signing with RSL meant a great deal because he had worked toward becoming a professional for so long.
He also thanked the people who had supported him throughout the journey.
Lineker Scores for Real Salt Lake One Day After Signing
Only one day after the contract announcement, Rodrigues experienced another major milestone.
Real Salt Lake faced FC Juárez in the Leagues Cup, and Lineker scored in a 3-0 victory.
The goal came after DeAndre Yedlin supplied the ball into the penalty area and Rodrigues converted the chance.
It represented his first goal for RSL’s senior team.
Afterward, the messages he received repeatedly focused on one theme: patience had finally paid off.
His Father’s Football Influence Comes Full Circle
The professional breakthrough created a clear link between the beginning and current stage of Rodrigues’s career.
His father had once been a professional player in Brazil and became Lineker’s first coach.
Years later, his son reached the professional game in the United States.
The fact that Rodrigues was also named after one of his father’s favorite strikers makes that progression even more distinctive.
Football was built into Lineker’s identity before he was old enough to make his own career choices, and the sport eventually became his profession as well.
Family Remains Important to Lineker Rodrigues
Rodrigues does not frequently publish detailed information about his relatives, but the available evidence shows that family has remained connected to the most important stages of his journey.
His father introduced him to football. His mother lived with him during the difficult early period after the move to Texas. His family was together when RSL selected him in the MLS SuperDraft.
That pattern reveals a family presence without requiring private relatives to become public personalities.
Why Lineker Rodrigues Keeps His Family Private
Unlike some professional footballers, Rodrigues has not built his public image around his relatives or romantic relationships.
His parents’ names, occupations outside football and everyday lives remain largely private.
Reliable sources also do not identify siblings.
That absence of information should not be filled by matching names from social media or Brazilian public records because doing so could connect the footballer to unrelated private individuals.
The most accurate family profile is therefore one that concentrates on what Rodrigues himself and people who know him have publicly confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lineker Rodrigues’s Family
Who are Lineker Rodrigues’s parents?
The names of Lineker Rodrigues’s parents have not been reliably published. His father was a professional footballer in Brazil and became Lineker’s first coach, while his mother initially lived with him after the family began moving to the United States.
Who is Lineker Rodrigues’s father?
Lineker’s father is a former professional footballer from Brazil. His name has not been reliably disclosed in established football coverage.
Did Lineker Rodrigues’s father play professional football?
Yes. Lineker confirmed that his father played professionally in Brazil before later becoming his first football coach.
Why is he named Lineker?
Rodrigues’s father admired former England striker Gary Lineker and named his son after him.
Who is Lineker Rodrigues’s mother?
The name of Lineker Rodrigues’s mother has remained private. His former high-school coach confirmed that Lineker initially lived primarily with his mother after arriving in the United States while waiting for his father to join them.
Does Lineker Rodrigues have siblings?
As of now, reliable public sources do not confirm whether Lineker Rodrigues has brothers or sisters.
Does Lineker Rodrigues have a girlfriend?
As of now, Lineker Rodrigues has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend through reliable sources.
Is Lineker Rodrigues married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Lineker Rodrigues is married.
Does Lineker Rodrigues have children?
As of now, no reliable public source confirms that Lineker Rodrigues has children.
Where was Lineker Rodrigues born?
Rodrigues was born in Brazil on March 12, 2002. Current Real Salt Lake records list Rio de Janeiro as his birthplace, while the University of Memphis’s original recruiting announcement identified Rio das Ostras.
Where did Lineker Rodrigues grow up?
He spent his early childhood in Brazil, where he played futsal, before moving to the United States as a teenager and attending Cypress Ranch High School in the Houston area.
Who was Lineker Rodrigues’s first coach?
His father was his first coach. Rodrigues later credited Cypress Ranch coach Michael Garcia as another major influence after moving to the United States.
Was Lineker Rodrigues with his family when Real Salt Lake drafted him?
Yes. Rodrigues said he was watching the 2025 MLS SuperDraft with his family when Real Salt Lake selected him 29th overall, and the family celebrated the news together.
Laurinda Jocias is a football writer covering English women’s football, including the Women’s Super League. Her work focuses on players, clubs, and the continued development of the women’s game in the UK.
