Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez

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

Rodríguez before a game for Villarreal
Personal information
Full nameGonzalo Javier Rodríguez Prado
Date of birth10 April 1984
Place of birthBuenos Aires, Argentina
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing positionCentre back
Club information
Current team
Fiorentina
Number2
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2002–2004San Lorenzo57(4)
2004–2012Villarreal184(6)
2012–Fiorentina94(16)
National team
2003–2008Argentina6(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 April 2015.
† Appearances (Goals).

Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez Prado (American Spanish: [ɡonˈsalo roˈðɾiɣes]; born 10 April 1984), sometimes known as simply Gonzalo, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for Italian club ACF Fiorentina as a central defender.

After starting out at San Lorenzo he spent most of his career with Villarreal, appearing in 253 official games over the course of eight La Liga seasons (nine goals).

Club career

Early years

Born in Buenos Aires, Gonzalo started his professional career at Argentine first division's Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro in 2002.

At age 20 he had already represented Argentina, previously having appeared at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship with the under-20s.

Villarreal

In July 2004 Rodríguez joined Spain's Villarreal CF, being an undisputed starter in his first two seasons and renewing his link for a further five years.[1] However, after the surprise UEFA Intertoto Cup elimination at the hands of NK Maribor, in which he was sent off,[2] and a mere month into the league season, he suffered a serious injury, tearing the cruciate ligament in his right knee; after returning to activity in April 2007, he suffered the same injury two months later.[3]

In the 2008–09 campaign Rodríguez returned to good form, often partnering with Uruguayan Diego Godín and appearing in 48 La Liga games in two seasons combined, with Villarreal always qualifying to the UEFA Europa League, finishing fifth and seventh respectively. On 7 April 2011, in the Europa League's quarterfinals against FC Twente, he broke his fibula after a tough challenge by Marc Janko, being rushed to hospital in an ambulance and lost for the remainder of the season.[4]

Fiorentina

In early August 2012, following Villarreal's relegation, Gonzalo joined Italian club ACF Fiorentina, along with teammate Borja Valero.[5]

References

External links