Barcelona:Former FC Barcelona and Spain forward Pedro Rodriguez has announced his retirement from professional football. The 39-year-old from the Canary Islands shared the news through an online video filmed at Barcelona’s Camp Nou, where his career began in the 2008-09 season.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Pedro expressed his gratitude and pride in his football journey, stating, “I feel the time is right. The time to take the next step and begin a new chapter in my life.” During his illustrious career, Pedro scored 99 goals in 321 appearances for Barcelona before transferring to Chelsea in 2015. His achievements with Barcelona include five La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League victories, and multiple domestic and international trophies.
Pedro also experienced success with Chelsea, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Europa League. He later moved to Italy, where he played for Roma and Lazio. On the international stage, Pedro was part of Spain’s squads that triumphed in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2012.
Reflecting on his career, Pedro recalled his beginnings on a dirt pitch in Tenerife and expressed his appreciation for the opportunities he had. He noted, “London taught me how to start over, and Italy has touched my heart; at Lazio, they treated me like a son.” Pedro plans to hold a press conference at Camp Nou to officially conclude his professional football journey.