Former Barcelona and Chelsea winger Pedro Rodriguez has brought an end to his playing career at the age of 39.
The former Spain international announced his retirement on Wednesday. He had been without a club since leaving Lazio at the end of last season.
Pedro ends a career in which he won some of football’s biggest trophies. He lifted the World Cup and European Championship with Spain and won the Champions League three times with Barcelona.
“I feel that now is the moment,” Pedro wrote on social media alongside a video showing some of the best moments of his career.
“It’s the moment to take a step forward and start a new chapter in my life. I leave the game proud of fulfilling my dreams and of all the people who were alongside me making them a reality.
“Thank you, football, for making me so happy.”
Born in Tenerife, Pedro joined Barcelona from San Isidro as a teenager in 2005. He spent time with Barcelona C and Barcelona B before making his first team debut in 2008.
Pedro went on to make 321 appearances for Barcelona and scored 99 goals. He won five LaLiga titles and three Champions League trophies during his time with the club.
His success also continued with Spain. Pedro was part of the team that won the 2010 World Cup. He also helped Spain win the European Championship two years later.
He made 65 appearances for his country before ending his international career in 2017. Pedro left Barcelona for Chelsea in 2015. He spent five seasons in England and played 206 matches for the London club, scoring 43 goals.
He helped Chelsea win the Premier League title in 2017. Pedro moved to Italy in 2020 and spent one season with Roma before joining Lazio.
He remained an important player during the final years of his career. Pedro made 209 appearances for Lazio across five seasons and scored 39 goals.
His departure from Lazio last season eventually proved to be his final move as a player. Pedro now leaves football after more than two decades in the game and a career filled with major honours for both club and country.
