Pedro Rodríguez stops, Messi the only survivor of iconic Barça team
Pedro Rodríguez, the 39‑year‑old Spanish, has announced with immediate effect that he will end his football career. After a period without a club, following his departure from Lazio, he became the last surviving member of the legendary FC Barcelona team under Pep Guardiola, alongside Lionel Messi.
Barcelona and Pep Guardiola
Rodríguez joined in 2004, when he was seventeen, the famous youth academy La Masía of FC Barcelona. He made his debut in the 2007/08 season in the first team and signed his first professional contract with the club in the summer of 2009.
In the 2009 season he was part of Pep Guardiola's six‑trophy team and became the first player to score for Barcelona in all six official competitions in a single season – LaLiga, Copa del Rey, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup and Club World Cup.
On 28 May 2011 he featured in the Champions League final against Manchester United and scored the opening goal, laying the foundation for the eventual 3‑1 victory. Of the eleven starters who played for Barcelona that evening, only Lionel Messi remains active.
"I feel that this is the moment," Pedro wrote on social media. "It is time to take the next step and start a new chapter in my life." He added: "I am proud that I have fulfilled my dream and grateful to all the people who stood by me and helped me. Thank you, football, for making me so happy."
International fame and later clubs
With the Spanish national team he won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012, and he earned 65 caps for the "Red Fury", scoring 17 goals.
After Barcelona he moved in 2015 to Chelsea, where he also achieved successes. In 2020 he went to AS Roma and a year later signed a five‑year deal with city rival Lazio, where he played 321 matches and scored 99 goals. His contract expired last summer, leaving him clubless.
"Teil der besten Barca‑Mannschaft der Geschichte gewesen zu sein, war ein Privileg", zei hij in het Duits. "Wir haben alles gewonnen und die Welt begeistert." These words underline the significance of the team he describes as "Team".
With his retirement a era ends that began in the youth academy and culminated in one of the most successful club teams of this century. Only Lionel Messi remains active, making him the last living link of that iconic Barcelona‑team.