Pedro Rodríguez has retired from professional football. The 39-year-old announced the decision on Wednesday in a video filmed at the Camp Nou and posted on Instagram, four months after his Lazio contract expired in June.
The forward switched from Spanish to Italian in the closing minutes of the clip, over footage of his years with the Biancocelesti.
“Italy… Italy touched my heart. I arrived as a veteran and you treated me like a son.”
The farewell closes a career that brought 99 goals in 321 games for Barcelona, 17 goals in 65 caps for Spain and more than 200 appearances for Lazio.
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The sextuple side
Pedro made his first-team debut for Barcelona in 2008 and became a fixture under Pep Guardiola in the side that lifted all six trophies on offer in 2009. He left the Camp Nou in 2015 with three Champions Leagues and five La Liga titles to his name, and scored in the 2011 Champions League final win over Manchester United.
“Being part of the best Barça in history was a privilege. We won everything and amazed the world. My heart will always be a Barça fan.”
With Spain he added the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
Five years at Lazio
A five-year spell at Chelsea from 2015 delivered the 2017 Premier League, the FA Cup and the Europa League. He moved to Italy in 2020, spent a season at Roma and crossed the capital to join Lazio in 2021, staying there until his contract ran out this summer.
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Lazio were the final chapter.
“I feel the time has come. The time to take a step forward and begin a new phase of my life.”
Barcelona and Lazio teammates respond
Xavi Hernández, Luis Alberto, Davide Zappacosta, Taty Castellanos and Keita Baldé were among those who left messages under the Instagram post.
Barcelona followed with an institutional statement.
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“You will always be a part of our story. Thank you for everything you have given to football and for all the moments you have given us. We wish you all the best in this new chapter.”
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