Former Spain, Barcelona winger Pedro retires from football at 39

Former Barcelona and Chelsea winger Pedro Rodríguez has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 39.

Pedro had been without a club since leaving Italian side Lazio at the end of last season.

The ex-Spain international calls time on a hugely successful career which saw him win the World Cup, the European Championship and the Champions League.

"I feel that now is the moment," Pedro wrote on social media alongside a video featuring the best moments from his career.

"It's the moment to take a step forward and start a new chapter in my life. I leave the game proud of fulfilling my dreams and of all the people who were alongside me making them a reality.

"Thank you, football, for making me so happy."

Born in Tenerife, Pedro joined Barcelona’s youth academy at 17 and progressed through the club’s ranks before making his first-team debut in 2008.

He became a key member of Pep Guardiola’s celebrated Barcelona side, winning three Champions League titles, five La Liga titles and an unprecedented six trophies in 2009.

Pedro scored in Barcelona’s 3-1 Champions League final victory over Manchester United at Wembley in 2011 and finished his spell at the club with 99 goals in 321 appearances.

He left Barcelona for Chelsea in 2015 and won the Premier League with the London club in 2017, before adding the FA Cup and Europa League in the following two seasons.

He later played for Roma and Lazio, where he ended his professional career after more than 200 appearances for the Serie A club.

At international level, Pedro was part of Spain’s squad that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2012 European Championship, earning 65 caps for Spain and scoring 17 goals.

The club said Pedro will formally mark his retirement with a farewell event at the Auditori 1899 in Barcelona on Friday, October 9, starting at 11:30 am CEST.