Pedro Rodríguez ends his career at 39 – world champion looks back

The Spanish striker Pedro Rodríguez, a 39‑year‑old World Cup winner, announced his retirement from professional football via social media, bringing an era to an end that was marked by a 2010 World Cup title, a 2012 European Championship victory and numerous club honours in his career.

Champions League Title 2011

Pedro Rodríguez joined the FC Barcelona youth academy as a teenager. He made his senior debut in 2008 and quickly became a regular starter. Under coach Pep Guardiola, he was part of the famous sextuple team in 2009 that won every possible title.

In the 2011 Champions League final he faced Manchester United and scored the decisive goal for the victory.

Transfer to Chelsea, Rome and Lazio

For the Spanish national team Rodríguez won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012. In total he earned 65 caps and scored 17 goals for the “Red Fury”.

In 2015 he moved to FC Chelsea and remained successful there. In 2020 he headed to Italy to join AS Roma. After just one season he left Roma in the summer of 2021 and signed with city rivals Lazio, where his contract expired last summer.

Rodríguez announced his farewell on social media with emotional words. He said: “I feel that the time has come.” He further explained that he wanted to start a new chapter and looked back on his career with pride.

Direct Transfer between Rome and Lazio

The direct move from Rome to Lazio is rare; in total there have been eight such transfers in history. Before Rodríguez, the last player, who was almost forty years old in 2021, was an example of this rarity. Earlier direct moves between the two clubs were carried out in 1985 by Astutillo Malgioglio, in 1934 by Attilio Ferraris IV and Arturo Chini Luduena, in 1972 by Sergio Petrelli, in 1976 by Franco Cordova, in 1981 by Michele De Nadai and in 1982 by Carlo Perrone.

At 39, Pedro Rodríguez thus ends his active career, which comprised 321 appearances for Barcelona and 99 goals, making him one of the most successful Spanish forwards.