Gonzalo Rodríguez (footballer, born 1984) facts for kids
Rodríguez with Fiorentina in 2015
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez Prado | ||
| Date of birth | 10 April 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Buenos Aires, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.82 m | ||
| Playing position | Centre-back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2002–2004 | San Lorenzo | 57 | (4) |
| 2004–2012 | Villarreal | 184 | (6) |
| 2012–2017 | Fiorentina | 159 | (22) |
| 2017–2020 | San Lorenzo | 33 | (2) |
| Total | 433 | (34) | |
| National team | |||
| 2003–2015 | Argentina | 7 | (1) |
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Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez Prado (born April 10, 1984) is a former professional footballer from Argentina. He played as a central defender, which means he was a strong player who helped protect his team's goal.
Gonzalo started his career at San Lorenzo in Argentina. He then spent many years playing for Villarreal in Spain. He also played for five years in Italy with Fiorentina. He was known for his solid defending skills.
Contents
Club Career
San Lorenzo Beginnings
Gonzalo Rodríguez was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began his football journey at San Lorenzo de Almagro. He made his first professional appearance in the Argentine Primera División on July 26, 2002. He was only 18 years old at the time.
By the age of 20, Gonzalo had already played for the Argentine national team. Before that, he had also played for the under-20 team in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Time at Villarreal
In July 2004, Gonzalo moved to Spain to play for Villarreal CF. He quickly became a key player in his first two seasons. He even signed a new contract for five more years.
However, he faced some tough luck with injuries. In 2006, he tore a ligament in his right knee. After recovering, he suffered the same injury again a few months later. Despite these setbacks, he worked hard to return to the field.
Gonzalo played very well in the 2008–09 season. He often played alongside Uruguayan defender Diego Godín. Together, they helped Villarreal qualify for the UEFA Europa League. In 2011, he broke his fibula (a bone in the lower leg) during a Europa League match. This injury kept him out for the rest of that season.
Playing for Fiorentina
In August 2012, after Villarreal was relegated from the top Spanish league, Gonzalo moved to Italy. He joined ACF Fiorentina along with his teammate Borja Valero. In his first year, he scored six goals in 35 games. He helped Fiorentina finish fourth in the Serie A league. This result allowed them to play in the Europa League.
In the 2015–16 season, Gonzalo was chosen as the new team captain by the manager Paulo Sousa. He played his 200th game for Fiorentina on April 9, 2017. He celebrated this milestone by scoring his 25th goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against UC Sampdoria.
Back to San Lorenzo and Retirement
In July 2017, Gonzalo returned to his first club, San Lorenzo de Almagro. He joined them on a free transfer. After playing for three more seasons, he announced his retirement from professional football on June 23, 2020. He was 36 years old when he decided to stop playing.
Achievements
San Lorenzo
- Copa Sudamericana: 2002
Villarreal
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2004
Individual
- Fiorentina All-time XI
See also
In Spanish: Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez para niños
