Spanish World Cup winner Pedro Rodriguez has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 39, closing the curtain on a career that spanned more than two decades and some of the most successful teams in European football.
The former Barcelona and Chelsea winger confirmed his decision on social media on Wednesday, saying he was ready to move into a new chapter after fulfilling his childhood dream.
“I feel that the time has come, the time to take a step forward and begin a new stage in my life,” Pedro wrote.
“I leave proud of having lived my dream and of all the people who were by my side to make it come true, Thank you, soccer, for making me so happy.
Born in Tenerife, Pedro joined Barcelona’s youth academy at 17 and worked his way through La Masia before making his senior debut in 2008.
He soon became an important member of Pep Guardiola’s celebrated Barcelona side, winning three Champions League titles and five La Liga crowns. His first full season with the club also produced an unprecedented six trophies in 2009.
Pedro scored Barcelona’s second goal in their 3-1 Champions League final victory over Manchester United at Wembley in 2011 and eventually left the Catalan giants with 99 goals from 321 appearances.
His next destination was Chelsea, whom he joined in 2015. He won the Premier League with the London club in 2017 before adding the FA Cup and Europa League during the following two seasons.
Pedro subsequently continued his career in Italy with Roma and Lazio, making more than 200 appearances in Serie A before bringing his playing career to an end.
His international career was equally decorated. Pedro earned 65 caps for Spain, scoring 17 goals, and was part of the squads that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and Euro 2012.
“One day, almost without believing it, I became a world champion and a starter in a World Cup final,” Pedro said in his farewell video.
He also reflected on his time at Barcelona, describing his involvement in Guardiola’s side as a privilege.
“Being part of the best Barca side in history was a privilege, we won everything and amazed the world,” he said.
Barcelona paid tribute to their former player after the announcement, saying Pedro had “left an indelible mark” on one of the greatest periods in the club’s history.
The club highlighted his journey from Tenerife to La Masia and his emergence as a key figure under Guardiola. Barcelona also recalled that Pedro became the first player to score in all six official competitions contested by the club in a single season during the 2009/10 campaign.
Pedro will formally mark his retirement with a farewell event at the Auditori 1899 in Barcelona on Friday, October 9, beginning at 11:30am CEST.
