Pedro

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For other people, see Pedro (disambiguation) § Footballers, and Pedro Rodríguez.

This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Ledesma.

PedroPedro playing for Chelsea in 2019Personal informationFull namePedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma[1]Date of birth28 July 1987 (age 33)[2]Place of birthSanta Cruz de Tenerife, SpainHeight1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)[3]Playing position(s)Forward / WingerClub informationCurrent teamRomaYouth career2003–2004San Isidro2004–2005BarcelonaSenior career*YearsTeamApps(Gls)2005–2007Barcelona C71(11)2007–2009Barcelona B50(16)2008–2015Barcelona204(58)2015–2020Chelsea137(29)2020–Roma0(0)National team‡2008Spain U212(0)2010–Spain65(17)Honours[show]* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:34, 26 July 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 00:53, 6 September 2017 (UTC)

Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpeðɾo roˈðɾiɣeθ leˈðezma]; born 28 July 1987), known as Pedro, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Serie A club Roma and the Spain national team.

Pedro scored 99 goals in 320 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona from 2008 to 2015, before joining Chelsea in 2015 where he scored 43 goals in 201 games and helped them win the premier league in 2017,FA Cup in 2018 and Europa league in 2019. He joined the serie A club Roma in late 2020 on a two-year deal worth €50,000 per week, He has won 26 major honours, including five La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League titles. During the 2009–10 season, he became the first player in history to score in six different official club competitions in one season.

Pedro represented Spain in two World Cups and two European Championships, winning the former in 2010 and the latter in 2012.

Club career[edit]

Early years[edit]

Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Pedro joined FC Barcelona's youth team at the age of 17, having arrived from local side CD San Isidro.[4]

Barcelona[edit]

Pedro was a key player for FC Barcelona B, as the team achieved promotion from Tercera División, making 37 appearances and scoring seven goals.[4] On 12 January 2008, he made his debut for the first team, playing one minute in a 4–0 home win against Real Murcia, but would only amass seven more in his first two seasons combined.

2008–10: Development and breakthrough[edit]

Pedro was a part of the first team's 2008–09 pre-season, and showed early promise, scoring against Hibernian and the New York Red Bulls respectively.[5][6] On 13 August, he started in a 4–0 win against Wisła Kraków for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.[7] His first match on the group stage of that competition was on 16 September, when he replaced Thierry Henry in a 3–1 home win over Sporting Clube de Portugal.[8]

In Barcelona's treble-winning season in 2008–09, Pedro eventually totalled 14 matches, also appearing in La Liga against Getafe CF,[9] Valencia CF,[10] Real Valladolid [11] and CA Osasuna (0–1 home loss, with Barcelona already crowned champions),[12] totalling 365 minutes. In the campaign's Copa del Rey, he played against Benidorm CF [13] and Atlético Madrid, on both occasions for Lionel Messi;[14] in the Champions League final, he played the last minute in the place of Andrés Iniesta.

In 2009–10, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that Pedro would be definitely promoted to Barcelona's first team, and he responded with a breakthrough year, during which he became the first player to score in six different club competitions during a single season and in the same year.[15][16] On 16 August, after assisting Xavi with the first goal, he scored his first competitive goal for the first team in the 67th minute, helping to ensure a 2–1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in San Mamés for the domestic Supercup.[17] Later that week, he signed his professional contract, running until June 2014 with a buyout clause set at £60 million;[4] in the 2009 UEFA Super Cup against FC Shakhtar Donetsk, he came on as a substitute for Zlatan Ibrahimović in the 80th minute, and went on to net the only goal of the match in extra time.[18]

On 28 September, Pedro scored his first goal in the Champions League, after replacing Iniesta at half-time in a 2–0 win against FC Dynamo Kyiv.[19] He continued his hot streak and netted his first in the league, against UD Almería, with a brilliant strike that sealed the 1–0 home triumph;[20] the following month he grabbed a brace in the first leg of the Spanish Cup round-of-32 match at Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa, for a 2–0 win[21] (he also scored in the second leg, a 5–0 home rout).[22]

More and more established in Barcelona's starting lineups, Pedro went on to score another brace in the league, in a 4–2 win against RCD Mallorca.[23] He would continue his scoring touch in the Champions League, netting one of two against Inter Milan.[24]

Pedro (left) and Xavi during the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup

On 16 December, Pedro scored a goal in the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup against Atlante FC, in 3–1 win. In doing so, he became the first player ever to score in six different club competitions in one season – the three domestic tournaments, the UEFA Champions League and Super Cup and the Club World Cup.[25] He was later named World Player of the Week by Goal.com after his performances against RCD Espanyol, Atlante and Estudiantes de La Plata of Argentina, respectively.[26]

In an emotional return to his hometown team of CD Tenerife, on 10 January 2010, Pedro came on as a 76th-minute substitute, later helping to Ezequiel Luna's own goal in a 5–0 win – out of respect, he chose not to celebrate.[27] On 10 April, he netted the second goal in a 2–0 win against Real Madrid, in his first appearance in El Clásico.[28]

On 14 April, in a league match against Deportivo de La Coruña, opposing goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia attempted to clear the ball from the top of the 16-yard box, and instead kicked the ball right to Pedro, who shot at goal from 40 yards with his left foot and scored, giving Barça a 2–0 lead in an eventual 3–0 win.[29] He also found the net in a 3–1 defeat in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, against Inter at the San Siro.[30]

In the last three league matches, Pedro scored for Barcelona, with the Catalans eventually renewing their league supremacy: against Tenerife again (4–1 win),[31] the 3–2 winner at Sevilla FC [32] and against Valladolid (4–0).[33] He completed the 2009–10 season with 53 appearances in all competitions and 23 goals, and, on 9 June, signed a new five-year deal with Barcelona.[34]

2010–14: Consistent collective success[edit]

Pedro began the 2010–11 campaign firmly established in Barcelona's starting XI. On 29 November 2010, he scored the second goal in a 5–0 home win against Real Madrid, with Barça climbing to the first position in the league.[35] The following month, he netted twice at Espanyol in the local derby, in a 5–1 success.[36]

On 20 April 2011, Pedro scored against Real Madrid in the second half of the season's Spanish Cup final, but his goal was disallowed for offside, in an eventual 0–1 extra time loss.[37] On 3 May, against the same opponent, in the Champions League semi-finals second leg, he found Iker Casillas' net in a 1–1 home draw (3–1 aggregate win),[38] for his 21st official goal of the campaign; in the Champions League final, he opened the score against Manchester United, in an eventual 3–1 win.[39]

On 5 July 2011, Pedro extended his contract by one year, until 2016.[40] His buyout clause was raised from €90m to €150m. After the purchase of Alexis Sánchez, he featured less during 2011–12,[41] he did finish the season with 13 official goals, scoring a brace in the campaign's domestic cup final, a 3–0 win against Athletic Bilbao.[42]

On 21 September 2013, Pedro scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 success at Rayo Vallecano.[43][44] On 22 December, in another away fixture, he added another three – all in the first half and only nine minutes – to help Barcelona come from behind 0–2 and eventually win 5–2 over Getafe.[45]

2014–15: Treble and final season[edit]

Pedro defending against Deportivo in January 2015

On 16 December 2014, Pedro scored another hat-trick, this time in second leg of Round of 32 in Copa del Rey against Huesca, with Barcelona who recorded an 8–1 victory at Camp Nou.[46]

On 4 June 2015, Barcelona's official website announced that Pedro had renewed his contract until 30 June 2019. His buyout clause would remain at €150 million.[47]

On 6 June 2015, Pedro appeared as an added-time substitute for Barça in the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final, as the club won its fifth European Cup/Champions League title by beating Juventus at Berlin's Olympiastadion.[48] This made Barcelona the first club in history to win the treble of domestic league, domestic cup and European Cup twice.[49] Pedro, Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets and Dani Alves are the only players to have been a part of both treble-winning teams.[49]

As an extra-time substitute, Pedro scored the winning goal as Barcelona won the 2015 UEFA Super Cup 5–4 against Sevilla in Tbilisi; it was his second winner in a Super Cup, and came in the 115th minute like its predecessor.[50]

Chelsea[edit]

2015–16: Debut season[edit]

Pedro playing for Chelsea in 2015

On 20 August 2015, Pedro joined Premier League champions Chelsea on a four-year contract for £19 million (€26.6M), potentially rising to £21.4 million (€30M) depending on performances.[51][52][53] Three days after signing, he made his debut away to West Bromwich Albion, scoring the first goal of a 3–2 win, Chelsea's first victory of their season, and provided an assist for the second goal, scored by his international teammate Diego Costa.[54] On 19 December, Pedro scored the second goal in a 3–1 win against Sunderland, his first at Stamford Bridge.[55] On 13 February, Pedro scored a brace in a 5–1 victory over Newcastle United,[56] and again on 2 April in a 4–0 win over Aston Villa.[57]

2016–18: League and UEFA Europa League wins[edit]

On 1 July 2016, it was announced that Pedro would switch to the number 11 shirt at Chelsea, vacated by the loan expiration of Alexandre Pato.[58] On 20 August 2016, Pedro made his first start of the season in an away match against Watford, after it was announced that Willian was out with an injury.[59] Pedro then came off the bench to get an assist for Victor Moses in a 3–0 win over Burnley on 27 August.[60] On 23 October 2016, Pedro scored the fastest goal of the season as in the first 30 seconds, he scored the opener of a 4–0 victory over Manchester United.[61] He also defended Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, who was reportedly accused by Manchester United manager José Mourinho of trying to humiliate United with his actions on the touchline in the closing stages of the game.[62] On 5 November 2016, Pedro scored the last goal and assisted two others in a 5–0 drubbing of Everton at Stamford Bridge.[63] On 26 November 2016, Pedro scored the equaliser for Chelsea right before half-time in a 2–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.[64] The goal eventually won Premier League Goal of the Month for November.

On 11 August 2018, he scored his first league goal of the season in a 3–0 win at Huddersfield Town.[65] On his 150th Chelsea appearance, Pedro scored the club's 1000th Premier League goal at Stamford Bridge, opening the scoring in a 2–0 win against West London rival Fulham.[66] He netted a brace and had a hand in two more to help the Blues through to the Europa League semi-finals at the expense of Slavia Praha at Stamford Bridge on 18 April. Chelsea won 4–3 on the night and 5–3 on aggregate.[67] On 29 May, Pedro scored in Chelsea's 4–1 win over Arsenal in the Europa League final; as a result, he became the fifth player to score in a European Cup/Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League final, after Allan Simonsen, Dmitri Alenichev, Hernán Crespo, and Steven Gerrard.[68]

2019–20: Final season and departure[edit]

On 8 March 2020, Pedro scored his first league goal of the season in the win over Everton.[69] He had been scoreless in the Premier League for more than a year, with the previous goal dated back to 27 February 2019.[70]

On 26 July 2020, Frank Lampard confirmed Pedro would leave Chelsea after the FA Cup Final and Champions League fixtures.[71] He also announced his departure from the club on Twitter.[72][73]

Roma[edit]

On 25 August 2020, Serie A club Roma announced the signing of Pedro on a three-year contract.[74]

International career[edit]

Pedro playing for Spain in 2013

On 20 May 2010, Pedro was included by Vicente del Bosque in Spain's 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[75] Nine days later, he made his debut in a 3–2 friendly win against Saudi Arabia, replacing David Silva for the final 30 minutes in Innsbruck, Austria.[76] On 8 June, in the last exhibition game prior to the finals in South Africa, with Poland, Pedro scored his first international goal, and also assisted Fernando Torres in a 6–0 victory at Murcia's Estadio Nueva Condomina.[77]

In the final stages, he appeared in five matches (three as a late substitute): on 7 July, in the semi-final against Germany, he started in place of Torres, who had been performing poorly in earlier matches. In the 82nd minute, with Spain leading 1–0, he attempted to score a goal himself rather than set up an unmarked Torres, although he performed well in the game.[78] Despite this error, he was selected to start in the final, with the national team winning 1–0 against the Netherlands; at the hour-mark, he was replaced by Jesús Navas.

Pedro was part of the Spanish squad which successfully defended their continental crown at UEFA Euro 2012, coming on as a substitute in each of their knockout round matches, including the final where he replaced Silva in the 59th minute of an eventual 4–0 win over Italy.[79]

Pedro scored the first hat-trick of his professional career on 12 October 2012, netting after a Jordi Alba strike in an eventual 4–0 away win over Belarus for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.[80]

Style of play[edit]

A quick, versatile, and intelligent two–footed forward, Pedro usually plays as a left winger, although he is capable of playing on either flank, as well as in several other positions in both attack and midfield; he has often been used on the right flank with the Spanish national team. A diminutive player, he is known for his pace, balance, defensive work-rate, and his ability to score and create goals, courtesy of his finishing ability, crossing, and link-up play.[81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89]

Career statistics[edit]

Club[edit]

As of match played 1 August 2020[90][91]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational Cup[a]League Cup[b]EuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBarcelona 2007–08 La Liga2000———202008–09La Liga6030—5[c]0—1402009–10La Liga341243—9[c]45[d]452232010–11La Liga331374—12[c]51[e]053222011–12La Liga29554—9[c]45[f]048132012–13La Liga28751—10[c]12[e]145102013–14La Liga371583—7[c]12[e]054192014–15La Liga35665—9[c]0—50112015–16La Liga0000—003[g]131Total204583820—611518632199Chelsea 2015–16 Premier League29740116[c]0—4082016–17Premier League3595430——43132017–18Premier League31462307[c]11[h]04872018–19Premier League318105014[i]51[h]052132019–20Premier League11160213[c]01[j]0232Total137292261423063020643Roma 2020–21 Serie A0000—0[i]0—00Career total3418760261429121216527142

^ Includes Copa del Rey, FA Cup, and Coppa Italia
^ Includes League/EFL Cup
^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j Appearances in UEFA Champions League
^ Two appearances and one goal in Supercopa de España, one appearance and one goal in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup
^ Jump up to:a b c Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
^ Two appearances in Supercopa de España, one in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
^ Two appearances in Supercopa de España, one appearance and one goal in UEFA Super Cup
^ Jump up to:a b Appearance in FA Community Shield
^ Jump up to:a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
^ Appearance in UEFA Super Cup