Pedro Rodríguez Ledesma

Pedro
Pedro rodriguez.JPG
Personal information
Full name Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma
Date of birth 28 July 1987 (1987-07-28) (age 23)
Place of birth Santa Cruz, Spain
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 6 1⁄2 in)
Playing position Forward / Winger
Club information
Current club Barcelona
Number 17
Youth career
2003–2004 San Isidro
2004–2007 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2007–2009 Barcelona B 55 (17)
2008– Barcelona 43 (12)
National team‡
2008 Spain U21 2 (0)
2010– Spain 11 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:15, 25 July 2010 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19:30, 7 September 2010 (UTC)
This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Ledesma.

Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpeðɾo roˈðɾiɣeθ leˈðezma]; born 28 July 1987), commonly known as Pedro or Pedrito, is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

Naturally right-footed, he plays as either a forward or winger, the ambidextrous nature of his game meaning he can play on either side of the pitch. He is excellent at finding the right position and has a powerful shot, most notably from long range.[1]

Contents

Club career

Early years

Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Pedro joined FC Barcelona's youth system at the age of 17, having arrived from local side CD San Isidro.[2]

Barcelona

Pedro was a key player for Barça's reserve team, as it achieved promotion from Tercera División, making 37 appearances and scoring seven goals.[2] On 12 January 2008, he made his debuts 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.

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.[3][4] On August 13, he started – later being substituted by Yaya Touré – in a 4–0 win against Polish side Wisła Kraków, for the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.[5] 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.[6]

In Barcelona's treble-winning season in 2008–09, Pedro eventually totalled 14 matches, also appearing in the league against Getafe CF (1–1 home draw),[7] Valencia CF (4–0 home triumph),[8] Real Valladolid (1–0 away win),[9] CA Osasuna (0–1 home loss, with Barcelona already crowned champions),[10] totalling 365 minutes. In the season's Copa del Rey, he played against Benidorm CF[11] and Atlético Madrid, on both occasions for Lionel Messi.[12] In the Champions League final, he played the last minute, in the place of Andrés Iniesta.

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

In 2009–10, manager Josep Guardiola confirmed that Pedro would be definitely promoted to Barcelona's first team, and he responded with a breakthrough season, during which he became the first player to score in six different club competitions during a single season.[13] On August 16, after assisting Xavi with the first goal, Pedro 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 season's domestic Supercup.[14] Later that week, he signed his professional contract, running until June 2014, with a buyout clause set at £60 million.[2] 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 score the 1–0 winner in extra time.[15]

On September 28, Pedro scored his first goal in the Champions League after replacing Iniesta at halftime in a 2–0 win against FC Dynamo Kyiv.[16] He continued his hot streak and scored his first league goal, against UD Almería, with a brilliant strike that sealed the 1–0 home triumph.[17] A month later, on October 28, he scored a brace in the first leg of the Spanish Cup Round-of-32 match at Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa, for a 2–0 win[18] (he also scored in the second leg, a 5–0 home rout).[19]

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. [20] He would continue his scoring touch in the Champions League, scoring one of two against F.C. Internazionale Milano.[21]

On December 16, 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 only player 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.[22] 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.[23]

In an emotional return to his hometown 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.[24] On April 10, he scored the second goal in a 2–0 win against Real Madrid, in his first appearance in El Clásico.[25]

On April 14, 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 – eventually 3–0.[26] He also found the net in a 3–1 defeat in the first leg of Champions League semi-finals, against Inter at the San Siro.[27]

In the last three league matches, Pedro scored for Barcelona, with the Catalans eventually renewing their league supremacy: against Tenerife again (4–1 win),[28] the 3–2 winner at Sevilla FC[29] and against Valladolid (4–0).[30] He completed the 2009–10 season with 53 appearances in all competitions (31 starts) and 23 goals. On 9 June 2010, he signed a new five-year deal with Barcelona.[31]

International career

On 20 May 2010, Pedro was included by Vicente del Bosque in Spain's 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[32] On the 29th, he made his debut in a 3–2 friendly win against Saudi Arabia, and earned his second cap shortly after, as a 58th minute substitute in a 1–0 win against South Korea.

On 8 June 2010, in the last friendly 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, he featured in all three preparation games prior to the 2010 World Cup. In the final stages, he appeared in five matches (three as a late substitute): on July 7, in the semi-final against Germany, he started in place of Fernando Torres, who had been performing poorly in earlier matches. In the 82nd minute of the match, 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 match.[33] Despite this error, he was selected to start in the final, in which Spain won its first World Cup final. In this game, Pedro was replaced at the hour-mark by Jesus Navas. As of 11 July 2010, Pedro has earned 8 caps, scoring 1 goal for Spain since making his debut back in May.

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 8 June 2010 Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain  Poland 6–0 6–0 Friendly

Club statistics

As of 17 May 2010[34][35]

Club Season League Cup Europe Other [36] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona B 2006–07 1 0 - - - - - - 1 0
2007–08 37 7 - - - - - - 37 7
2008–09 17 10 - - - - - - 17 10
Total 55 17 - - - - - - 55 17
Barcelona 2007–08 2 0 0 0 0 0 - - 2 0
2008–09 6 0 3 0 5 0 - - 14 0
2009–10 34 12 4 3 9 4 5 4 52 23
2010–11 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
Total 43 12 7 3 14 4 6 4 70 23
Career totals 98 29 7 3 14 4 6 4 125 40

Honours

Barcelona

Spain

References

  1. ↑ "Pedro: more goals than ever". FC Barcelona. 27 February 2010. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/03/01/n100301109606.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Pedro Rodríguez Ledesma". FC Barcelona. 27 February 2010. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/plantilla/jugadors/pedro.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  3. ↑ "First test overcome in style (0–6)". FC Barcelona. 24 June 2008. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/arxiu_partits/pretemporada/Hibernian-FCB/partit.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  4. ↑ "Another high score before the preliminary (2–6)". FC Barcelona. 7 August 2008. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/arxiu_partits/pretemporada/ny-barcelona/partit.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  5. ↑ "A step towards the group stage (4–0)". FC Barcelona. 13 August 2008. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/arxiu_partits/champions_league/fase_0297_08/jornada01/Barcelona_wisla/partit.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  6. ↑ "Good football brings fair result (3–1)". FC Barcelona. 16 September 2008. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/arxiu_partits/champions_league/primera_fase/jornada01/grup_C/Barcelona_Sporting/partit.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  7. ↑ "Persistence brings a point (1–1)". FC Barcelona. 23 November 2008. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada12/Barcelona_Getafe/partit.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  8. ↑ "Henry majestic in Barça goal-fest (4–0)". FC Barcelona. 12 April 2009. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada14/Barcelona_Valencia/partit.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  9. ↑ "Eto’o goal secures three crucial points (0–1)". FC Barcelona. 4 May 2009. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada29/Valladolid_Barcelona/partit.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  10. ↑ "Celebration in defeat (0–1)". FC Barcelona. 23 May 2009. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada37/Barcelona_Osasuna/partit.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  11. ↑ "Pitfall avoided (1–0)". FC Barcelona. 12 November 2008. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/arxiu_partits/copa_rei/16ens/jornada02/Barcelona_Benidorm/partit.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  12. ↑ "Messi the King (1–3)". FC Barcelona. 6 January 2009. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_08-09/arxiu_partits/copa_rei/vuitens/jornada01/At.Madrid_Barcelona/partit.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  13. ↑ "Six of the best for Pedro". FC Barcelona. 16 December 2009. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/12/n091216108378.html. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  14. ↑ "Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona". Goal.com. 16 August 2009. http://www.goal.com/en/match/38942/athletic-bilbao-vs-barcelona/lineup-stats. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  15. ↑ "Pedro pounces to add to Barça glory". UEFA.com. 28 August 2009. http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/supercup/fixturesresults/round=2000023/match=2001219/report=rp.html. Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  16. ↑ "Barcelona vs Dynamo". Goal.com. 29 September 2009. http://www.goal.com/en/match/39729/barcelona-vs-dynamo/play-by-play. Retrieved 1 March 2010. 
  17. ↑ "Pedro cracker earns the points (1–0)". FC Barcelona. 3 October 2009. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada06/Barcelona_Almeria/partit.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010. 
  18. ↑ "Pedro turns tie in Barça's favour (0–2)". FC Barcelona. 28 October 2009. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/arxiu_partits/copa_rei/16ens/jornada01/cultural_leonesa_Barcelona/partit.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010. 
  19. ↑ "Second half goal flurry (5–0)". FC Barcelona. 10 November 2009. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/arxiu_partits/copa_rei/16ens/jornada02/Barcelona_cultural_leonesa/partit.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010. 
  20. ↑ "Four goals to stay top (4–2)". FC Barcelona. 7 November 2009. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada10/Barcelona_Mallorca/partit.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010. 
  21. ↑ "Barcelona vs Inter Milan". Goal.com. 24 November 2009. 
  22. ↑ Pedro makes history; ESPNsoccernet, 15 December 2009
  23. ↑ "World Player Of The Week: Pedro Rodriguez – Barcelona". Goal.com. 21 December 2009. http://www.goal.com/en/news/2318/world-player-of-the-week/2009/12/21/1701326/goalcom-world-player-of-the-week-pedro-rodriguez-barcelona. Retrieved 21 December 2009. 
  24. ↑ "Messi inspires five star Barça (0–5)". FC Barcelona. 10 January 2010. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada17/Tenerife_Barcelona/partit.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010. 
  25. ↑ "Messi does it again – this time setting up Barcelona for 2–0 win at Real Madrid". SportsFeatures. 10 April 2010. http://www.sportsfeatures.com/soccernews/story/46743/messi-does-it-again-this-time-firing-barcelona-towards-2-0-lead-at-real-madrid. Retrieved 10 April 2010. 
  26. ↑ "Pedro stunner helps Barça beat Depor (3–0)". FC Barcelona. 14 April 2010. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada32/Barcelona_Deportivo/partit.html. Retrieved 17 April 2010. 
  27. ↑ "Impressive Inter leave Barça on the ropes". UEFA.com. 5 May 2010. http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/matches/season=2010/round=2000031/match=2000487/postmatch/report/index.html. Retrieved 31 May 2010. 
  28. ↑ "Winning in the rain (4–1)". FC Barcelona. 4 May 2010. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada36/Barcelona_Tenerife/partit.html. Retrieved 31 May 2010. 
  29. ↑ "Massive step towards title (2–3)". FC Barcelona. 8 May 2010. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada37/Sevilla_Barcelona/partit.html. Retrieved 31 May 2010. 
  30. ↑ "Dominant Barça regain league title (4–0)". FC Barcelona. 16 May 2010. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_09-10/arxiu_partits/lliga/jornada38/Barcelona_Valladolid/partit.html. Retrieved 30 June 2010. 
  31. ↑ "Pedro extends stay until 2015". FC Barcelona. 9 June 2010. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/06/09/n100609111481.html. Retrieved 27 June 2010. 
  32. ↑ "Spain omit Marcos Senna from 2010 World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 20 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8695232.stm. Retrieved 20 May 2010. 
  33. ↑ "World Cup 2010: Pedro Enjoying The High Life". PEACE FM Online. 11 July 2010. http://foreign.peacefmonline.com/sports/201007/57442.php. Retrieved 14 July 2010. 
  34. ↑ Official site statistics
  35. ↑ Transfermarkt player statistics
  36. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

External links

Spain squad – 2010 FIFA World Cup Winners (1st Title)
1 Casillas (c) • 2 Albiol • 3 Piqué • 4 Marchena • 5 Puyol • 6 Iniesta • 7 Villa • 8 Xavi • 9 F. Torres • 10 Fàbregas • 11 Capdevila • 12 Valdés • 13 Mata • 14 Alonso • 15 Ramos • 16 Busquets • 17 Arbeloa • 18 Pedro • 19 Llorente • 20 Martínez • 21 Silva • 22 Navas • 23 Reina • Coach: Del Bosque
 Spain
FC Barcelona – current squad

1 Valdés · 2 Alves · 3 Piqué · 5 Puyol (c) · 6 Xavi · 7 Villa · 8 Iniesta · 9 Bojan · 10 Messi · 11 Jeffrén · 13 Pinto · 14 Mascherano · 15 Keita · 16 Busquets · 17 Pedro · 18 Milito · 19 Maxwell · 21 Adriano · 22 Abidal · Coach: Guardiola