Pedro Rodríguez hangs up his boots at 39, says goodbye to football
In an emotional post on his social media, Pedro Rodríguez confirmed that at 39 he hangs up his boots, bringing an end to a career that unfolded in the European elite after completing his contractual link in Italy with Lazio.
End of a career spanning more than two decades
The Tenerife-born striker, trained at La Masía, officially announced his farewell to the pitch after having played more than twenty years in football's elite. The decision comes after the expiration of his contract with Lazio, the Italian club where he played until last season.
Achievements that defined a generation
Rodríguez was part of Pep Guardiola's historic Barcelona, where he stood out for his dynamism and goal‑scoring ability with both feet, managing to score in six different official competitions in a single calendar year. Wearing the Spanish shirt, he started in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, becoming world champion, and two years later lifted the Euro 2012.
The legacy of a World champion
With Pedro's retirement, Spanish football loses one of its most decorated and decisive forwards. Of the 23 players who lifted the World Cup in Johannesburg, only Sergio Ramos, Juan Mata and Raúl Albiol remain active, although none are attached to a club. The Canary's farewell comes in a context where the European press, represented by Europa Press, highlights his legacy as an tireless benchmark whose commitment and versatility marked an unrepeatable era.
In his statement, the former player said: "I feel that this is the moment. The moment to take a step forward and start a new chapter in my life. I leave proud to have lived my dream and for all the people who stood by me to make it a reality." He added that his heart will always be culé, recalling the privilege of having been part of the greatest Barça in history.
The announcement, published in Italy, closed a chapter that included titles in the Premier League, the Champions League and the Europa League, and that left an indelible mark on the Camp Nou and on the memory of fans around the World.