Susan Abayomi
Spanish World Cup winner Pedro Rodríguez has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 39, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished career that spanned nearly two decades.
The former Barcelona, Chelsea, Roma and Lazio forward announced his decision on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, after his contract with Lazio expired in June.
Pedro, who made the announcement in a farewell message filmed at Barcelona’s Camp Nou, said he felt it was time to begin a new chapter in his life. He also expressed pride in having fulfilled his football dream and gratitude to the people who supported him throughout his career.
Born in Tenerife, Spain, Pedro joined Barcelona’s youth system in 2004 and progressed to the first team, making his senior debut in 2008. He became an important member of Pep Guardiola’s highly successful Barcelona side alongside stars including Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.
During his Barcelona career, Pedro won five La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies, among numerous other honours. He also scored in the 2011 Champions League final against Manchester United, helping Barcelona secure a 3–1 victory at Wembley.
Pedro moved to Chelsea in 2015 and added further major honours to his collection, including the Premier League title, FA Cup and UEFA Europa League. He subsequently continued his career in Italy with Roma before joining Lazio, where he spent the final years of his playing career.
At international level, Pedro was part of Spain’s historic team that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He also helped Spain win the 2012 European Championship and finished his international career with 65 appearances and 17 goals.
Across his club career, Pedro made 794 appearances and scored 197 goals, according to Reuters, while his overall honours included 25 major trophies.
His retirement marks the end of the playing career of one of the last active members of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning generation.
Pedro is expected to mark his retirement with a farewell event at Barcelona’s Camp Nou, bringing a formal close to a career that saw him win major domestic, European and international honours with some of football’s biggest clubs and Spain.
