Cristian Gabriel Rodríguez Barrotti (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkɾistjan roˈðɾiɣes]; born 30 September 1985) is a Uruguayan former footballer who played as a left winger.

Cristian Rodríguez
Rodríguez with Peñarol in 2018
Personal information
Full name Cristian Gabriel Rodríguez Barrotti[1]
Date of birth (1985-09-30) 30 September 1985 (age 39)[1]
Place of birth Juan Lacaze, Uruguay[1]
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
Peñarol
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2005 Peñarol 40 (4)
2005–2008 Paris Saint-Germain 36 (1)
2007–2008Benfica (loan) 24 (6)
2008–2012 Porto 70 (12)
2012–2015 Atlético Madrid 59 (2)
2015Parma (loan) 5 (0)
2015Grêmio (loan) 0 (0)
2015–2016 Independiente 26 (3)
2017–2021 Peñarol 98 (31)
2021–2022 Plaza Colonia 37 (4)
Total 395 (63)
International career
2003–2005 Uruguay U20 13 (5)
2003–2018 Uruguay 110 (11)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Having received the nickname Cebolla (onion) from his Peñarol days, from his father,[3] he was well known for his speed and technical ability. He spent several seasons in Portugal with Benfica and Porto, and also competed professionally in France, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Argentina.

Rodríguez earned 110 caps for Uruguay, representing the country in two World Cups and four Copa América tournaments and winning the 2011 edition of the latter.

Club career

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Peñarol and PSG

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Rodríguez whilst at Paris Saint-Germain

Born in Juan Lacaze, Rodríguez started playing professionally, still a youngster, for local Peñarol in the Uruguayan Primera División, where he helped the side to the 2003 title. After an injury ruled him out for some games in late 2004, he was spotted by television cameras jumping in the stands alongside the supporters, but he eventually escaped a fine or suspension.[4]

In 2005, Rodríguez was transferred to French club Paris Saint-Germain F.C. on a free transfer, along with Carlos Bueno.[5][6] After appearing scarcely in his first season in Ligue 1, he was important in helping the capital team barely avoid relegation, scoring his only goal in a 4–2 home win against AS Monaco FC.[7]

Porto

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In late August 2007, Rodríguez moved to Portugal's S.L. Benfica in a season-long loan, together with compatriot Maxi Pereira who arrived from Defensor Sporting.[8] After being one of their most important players through 2007–08, he was bought by fellow Primeira Liga club FC Porto in June 2008 (but part of the transfer fee was paid to Play International B.V.).[9][10][11] During the two teams' match in Lisbon, on 30 August 2008, he was subjected to vitriolic abuse from the stands in a 1–1 final draw.[12] He eventually settled nonetheless, forming an attacking trio with Argentine Lisandro López and Brazilian Hulk[13][14][15] and also scoring occasionally through unsuspecting headers.[16][17][18]

After Silvestre Varela was bought by Porto in the 2009 off-season, Rodríguez was relegated to a substitute role.[19][20] He still made 32 competitive appearances in the 2010–11 campaign (two goals, including one in 11 matches in a victorious run in the UEFA Europa League).[21]

On 17 February 2014, Rodríguez was condemned to pay a €45,000 fine for assaulting two stewards at the Estádio da Luz, following a tunnel brawl during the 0–1 away league loss against Benfica on 20 December 2009.[22][23][24]

Atlético Madrid

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Rodríguez playing for Atlético Madrid in 2013

On 28 May 2012, Rodríguez signed a four-year contract with Atlético Madrid after being released by Porto.[25][26] He scored his first two goals for his new team in the Europa League group stage, against Hapoel Tel Aviv FC (3–0 away victory) and FC Viktoria Plzeň (home); in the latter, he netted the game's only goal through a thunderous left-foot shot in the 93rd minute.[27][28]

On 20 January 2015, Rodríguez joined Parma F.C. until the end of the season.[29][30] Less than two months later, however, due to the Italian club's precarious financial situation, he joined Brazil's Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense also on loan.[31]

Rodríguez left Grêmio on 8 May 2015, after struggling with injuries and totalling less than 80 minutes of action.[32]

Independiente

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On 24 July 2015, Rodríguez agreed to a two-year deal at Club Atlético Independiente as a free agent.[33] After suffering from several injury problems, his contract was terminated on 19 December 2016.[34]

Return to Uruguay

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On 3 February 2017, Rodríguez announced his return to Peñarol.[35] He went on to win the 2017 and 2018 national championships as well as the 2018 Supercopa Uruguaya,[36][37] ending his second stint in April 2021 with 126 appearances and 39 goals in all competitions.[38]

Rodríguez joined Club Plaza Colonia de Deportes on 20 April 2021.[39] On 17 January 2023, he announced his retirement at the age of 37.[40]

International career

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Rodríguez (bottom row, first left) lining up for Uruguay during the 2014 World Cup

Rodríguez made his Uruguay national team debut at age 18 in a friendly against Mexico, and represented the nation in two Copa América tournaments, scoring in the 2007 edition in a 4–1 quarter-final win over Venezuela, the hosts.[41] After assaulting Argentina's Gabriel Heinze during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage (0–1 home loss) he received a four-match ban, and coach Oscar Tabárez opted to not select him for the final stages in South Africa.[42][43]

Rodríguez was included in the 2015 Copa América squad,[44] scoring the only goal in the tournament opener against Jamaica in Antofagasta.[45] The 32-year-old was also selected for the 2018 World Cup.[46]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 17 May 2021[47][48]
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Peñarol 2002 Primera División 6 0 6 0
2003 21 2 0 0 21 2
2004 28 3 9 1 37 4
2005 0 0 1 0 3 0 4 0
Total 55 5 10 1 3 0 68 6
Paris Saint-Germain 2005–06 Ligue 1 11 0 4 1 0 0 15 1
2006–07 25 1 4 1 6 0 0 0 35 2
2007–08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 36 1 8 2 6 0 0 0 50 3
Benfica (loan) 2007–08 Primeira Liga 24 6 4 1 8 0 0 0 36 7
Total 24 6 4 1 8 0 0 0 36 7
Porto 2008–09 Primeira Liga 29 6 4 0 10 1 2 0 45 7
2009–10 18 4 4 1 6 0 2 0 30 5
2010–11 13 1 2 0 11 1 2 0 28 2
2011–12 10 1 1 0 2 0 4 1 17 2
Total 70 12 11 1 29 2 10 1 120 16
Atlético Madrid 2012–13 La Liga 33 1 8 0 6 2 1 0 48 3
2013–14 20 1 7 0 10 0 2 0 39 1
2014–15 6 0 2 1 2 0 1 0 11 1
Total 59 2 17 1 18 2 4 0 98 5
Parma (loan) 2014–15 Serie A 5 0 1 0 6 0
Grêmio (loan) 2015 Série A 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0
Independiente 2015 Primera División 8 3 0 0 5 0 13 3
2016 10 0 0 0 3 0 13 0
2016–17 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
Total 27 3 0 0 8 0 35 3
Peñarol 2017 Primera División 29 15 6 0 35 15
2018 20 10 8 4 1 1 29 15
2019 23 5 8 1 1 1 32 7
2020 26 1 4 1 30 2
Total 98 31 26 6 2 2 126 39
Plaza Colonia 2021 Primera División 27 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 4
2022 9 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 13 1
Total 36 4 2 1 1 0 1 0 40 5
Career total 410 64 43 6 106 11 22 3 581 84

International

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Uruguay[49]
Year Apps Goals
2003 1 0
2004 7 1
2005 0 0
2006 0 0
2007 12 1
2008 9 1
2009 7 0
2010 4 1
2011 7 0
2012 7 1
2013 16 3
2014 13 0
2015 6 1
2016 6 2
2017 7 0
2018 8 0
Total 110 11
Uruguay score listed first, score column indicates score after each Rodríguez goal.[49][47]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 9 October 2004 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina   Argentina 4–1 4–2 2006 World Cup qualification
2. 7 July 2007 Polideportivo Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal, Venezuela   Venezuela 1–3 1–4 2007 Copa América
3. 25 May 2008 RewirpowerSTADION, Bochum, Germany   Turkey 2–3 2–3 Friendly
4. 12 October 2010 Wuhan Sports Center, Wuhan, China   China 0–3 0–4
5. 10 June 2012 Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay   Peru 3–2 4–2 2014 World Cup qualification
6. 6 February 2013 Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar   Spain 1–1 3–1 Friendly
7. 15 October 2013 Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay   Argentina 1–0 3–2 2014 World Cup qualification
8. 13 November 2013 Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan   Jordan 0–4 0–5 2014 World Cup qualification
9. 13 June 2015 Estadio Regional, Antofagasta, Chile   Jamaica 1–0 1–0 2015 Copa América
10. 6 September 2016 Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay   Paraguay 2–0 2–0 2018 World Cup qualification
11. 11 October 2016 Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia   Colombia 1–1 2–2

Honours

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Rodríguez with the 2011 Copa América trophy

Peñarol

Paris Saint-Germain

Porto

Atlético Madrid

Uruguay

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "C. Rodríguez" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  2. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup: List of players" (PDF). FIFA. p. 32. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Cristian Rodríguez: Con el escudo tatuado en la piel" [Cristian Rodríguez: Shield tattooed on skin]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 26 June 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  4. ^ Rodríguez ready for bigger stage; BBC Sport, 10 January 2005
  5. ^ The unilateral extension option through the eyes of FIFA DRC and CAS; at Sports Law
  6. ^ PSG go for Uruguayans; UEFA, 20 July 2005
  7. ^ "PSG-Monaco, princes super géants" [PSG-Monaco, super giant princes] (in French). Maxifoot. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  8. ^ Mantorras out for three months; BBC Sport, 27 August 2007
  9. ^ Porto pick up Rodríguez; UEFA, 22 June 2008
  10. ^ Cristian Rodríguez "defects" from Benfica to FC Porto Archived 20 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine; PortuGOAL, 23 June 2008
  11. ^ Page.80-81: Trade Payables "FC Porto consolidated financial accounts and report on 30 June 2010" (PDF). FC Porto. 12 January 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  12. ^ "Rodríguez não esquece cebolas podres na Luz" [Rodríguez does not forget rotten onions at the Luz]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 12 April 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  13. ^ "Motor de explosão" [Explosive engine]. Record (in Portuguese). 19 December 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  14. ^ "Porto arranca empate graças a Lisandro" [Porto snatch draw thanks to Lisandro]. Extra (in Portuguese). 24 February 2009. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Hulk, Cebola e Falcão: trio de sonho?" [Hulk, Cebola and Falcão: dream trio?] (in Portuguese). Relvado. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Exibição morna chega para bater Académica" [Dull display enough to beat Académica]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 2 December 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  17. ^ "E. Amadora-F.C. Porto, 2–4 (destaques)" [E. Amadora-F.C. Porto, 2–4 (highlights)] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 17 December 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  18. ^ "Belenenses-FC Porto, 1–3 (Saulo 35'; Hulk 21', Rodríguez 24', Lucho 87')". Record (in Portuguese). 1 February 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  19. ^ "F. C. Porto: Cebola para o ataque" [F. C. Porto: Cebola for the offence]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 18 November 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  20. ^ "Ataque de pânico" [Panic attack]. Record (in Portuguese). 5 January 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  21. ^ "O percurso do FC Porto até à final" [FC Porto road to the final]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 16 May 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  22. ^ "Futebolistas do FC Porto condenados no caso do túnel da Luz" [FC Porto footballers condemned in tunnel of Luz case]. Expresso (in Portuguese). 17 February 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  23. ^ "FC Porto: jogadores condenados no caso do "túnel da Luz"" [FC Porto: players condemned in the "tunnel of Luz" case] (in Portuguese). Relvado. 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 15 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  24. ^ "Túnel da Luz. Futebolistas condenados a indemnizar "stewards"" [Tunnel of Luz. Footballers condemned to compensate stewards]. i (in Portuguese). 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 16 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  25. ^ Acuerdo con Cristian Rodríguez por cuatro temporadas (Agreement with Cristian Rodríguez for four seasons) Archived 21 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine; Atlético Madrid, 28 May 2012 (in Spanish)
  26. ^ Cristian Rodriguez moves to Atletico Madrid Archived 30 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine; Footballcracy, 29 May 2012
  27. ^ Atlético up and running with win at Hapoel; UEFA, 20 September 2012
  28. ^ Rodríguez rocket extends Atlético's winning streak; UEFA, 4 October 2012
  29. ^ Acuerdo con el Parma para la cesión de Cristian Rodríguez (Agreement with Parma for the loan of Cristian Rodríguez) Archived 23 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine; Atlético Madrid, 20 January 2015 (in Spanish)
  30. ^ Anche El Cebolla è un #crociatoperlasalvezza! Benvenuto a Cristian Rodriguez! (Even El Cebolla is a #crusaderforsurvival! Welcome to Cristian Rodriguez!)[usurped]; Parma FC, 20 January 2015 (in Italian)
  31. ^ "Garra charrua: Cristian Rodríguez chega amanhã a Porto Alegre" [Charrua spunk: Cristian Rodríguez arrives in Porto Alegre tomorrow] (in Portuguese). Grêmio FBPA. 9 March 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  32. ^ "Cebolla confirma saída do Grêmio e fala em "respeito ao clube e à torcida"" [Cebolla confirms departure of Grêmio and talks about "respect to the club and the supporters"] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  33. ^ "Cristian Rodríguez, nuevo jugador de Independiente" [Cristian Rodríguez, new Independiente player] (in Spanish). CA Independiente. 24 July 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  34. ^ "No va más" [The buck stops here] (in Spanish). Fútbol Uruguay. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  35. ^ "Cebolla Rodríguez fue presentado en Peñarol" [Cebolla Rodríguez was presented at Peñarol] (in Spanish). Goal. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  36. ^ "Peñarol 3–1 Nacional: resumen, goles y resultado" [Peñarol 3–1 Nacional: highlights, goals and score]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 26 January 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  37. ^ "Los números del "Cebolla" Rodríguez que demuestran que Peñarol lo precisa" [The numbers of "Cebolla" Rodríguez that show Peñarol need him] (in Spanish). Ovación Digital. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  38. ^ "Peñarol cerró el Uruguayo con el adiós del "Cebolla" Rodríguez y del "Lolo" Estoyanoff" [Peñarol closed the Uruguayo with "Cebolla" Rodríguez and "Lolo" Estoyanoff farewells] (in Spanish). Ovación Digital. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  39. ^ "Plaza Colonia le puso la camiseta a Cebolla Rodríguez y lo presentó en sociedad" [Plaza Colonia put shirt on Cebolla Rodríguez and presented him officially]. El Observador (in Spanish). 20 April 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  40. ^ "Cristian Rodriguez hangs up his boots aged 37". Be Soccer. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  41. ^ "¿Otra vez a amargar al dueño de casa?" [Out to get hosts again?] (in Spanish). Ovación Digital. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  42. ^ "Cristian 'Cebolla' Rodríguez fue suspendido cuatro partidos por agredir a Gabriel Heinze" [Cristian 'Cebolla' Rodríguez received four-match ban for assaulting Gabriel Heinze] (in Spanish). Fútbol en la Red. 30 October 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  43. ^ "Cristian Rodríguez no iría al Mundial" [Cristian Rodríguez would miss World Cup] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  44. ^ "Uruguay confirm Copa América squad numbers as Rolán lands Suárez's No.9". Copa América Chile 2015. 5 June 2015. Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  45. ^ "Uruguay 1–0 Jamaica". BBC Sport. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  46. ^ "Maxi Gómez y Stuani se cuelan en la lista de 23 de Uruguay" [Maxi Gómez and Stuani squeeze into Uruguay's list of 23]. Marca (in Spanish). 2 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  47. ^ a b "C. Rodríguez". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  48. ^ "Cristian Rodríguez". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  49. ^ a b "Cristian Gabriel Rodríguez – International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
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