Former Barcelona, Chelsea forward Pedro Rodriguez retires from football
Baku, October 7, AZERTAC
Former FC Barcelona and Spain forward Pedro Rodriguez announced his retirement from professional football on Wednesday, according to Xinhua.
The 39-year-old from the Canary Islands, who played more than 900 club matches for Barcelona, Chelsea, Roma and Lazio and made 65 appearances for Spain, made the announcement in an online video filmed at Barcelona's Camp Nou, where he broke into the first team in the 2008-09 season.
"I feel the time is right. The time to take the next step and begin a new chapter in my life," said Pedro, who scored 99 goals in 321 appearances for Barcelona before joining Chelsea in 2015.
"I leave proud to have lived my dream and grateful to all the people who stood by me to make it a reality. Thank you, football, for making me so happy," said Pedro, who will hold a press conference at Camp Nou on Friday.
Pedro's trophy cabinet includes five La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League crowns with Barcelona in 2009, 2011 and 2015, as well as three Copa del Rey titles, four Spanish Super Cups, three UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups. He also became the first player to score in six different competitions in a single calendar year, achieving the feat in 2009.
With Chelsea, he won the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Europa League before moving to Italy in 2020, where he later played for Roma and Lazio.
He was also part of Spain's squads that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2012.
"It all began on a dirt pitch on my island, Tenerife, and with a ball I never let go of. Being part of the greatest Barca side in history was a privilege. We won everything and amazed the world. And one day, I could hardly believe it, I was a world champion and a starter in the final."
"London taught me how to start over, and Italy has touched my heart; at Lazio, they treated me like a son. Today, I return to where it all began to bring a wonderful chapter to a close," he added.
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