Recently, El Mundo Deportivo presented an article about FC Barcelona and Spanish World Cup winner Pedro Rodríguez (23). The young Barça forward would seem to be living a dream, such has his combination of luck and success been over the past couple of years. What follows is a translation of the article by El Mundo Deportivo writer Francesc Perearnau. The original can be found here.
Twelve of fourteen called up FC Barcelona players saw action in the various international friendlies that took place on Tuesday (Brazil-USA) and Wednesday (the rest). Read a brief summary of each and post your thoughts after the jump.
On July 28, 2010, FC Barcelona and Spanish International forward Pedro Rodríguez turns 23. Everyone at totalBarça wishes him a very happy birthday!
It was to be a historical World Cup final as both teams, Netherlands or Spain, were going to hold the trophy for the first time in either country’s histories; a game between the creators of the total-football mentality and the current masters of it, thus football fans around the world had great expectations of witnessing a beautiful football game of great passes, chances and goals! It was hard to predict a winner of the game with 50% probability of either team winning as Netherlands sent off Brazil in the quarter-finals while Spain sent off Germany in the semi-finals on their way to the final game. The Spanish team’s starting lineup was the same as in the game against Germany with seven Barcelona players starting while Valdes started on the bench. Great hopes and expectations were put in Villa and Pedro to score the winning goals for Spain during the ninety minutes or maybe in extra-time.
Read some brief notes about the match after the jump, and add your own thoughts on the game.
Everyone watching Spain’s semifinal match against Germany on July 7, 2010, saw FC Barcelona forward Pedro Rodríguez (22) — or just Pedro, as he is known — get his first start in the World Cup. They saw him excel against a strong German team and effectively neutralize German defender Philip Lahm. But the last move they saw him make was to rush towards the goal and waste an almost clear scoring opportunity by not passing to Fernando Torres. A few minutes later, he was subbed out, and that final, lasting impression of a seemingly selfish act was burned into the minds of many, and many wondered, “What was he thinking?’” Writer Sid Lowe provides that answer.
Madrid sports daily Marca presented an article discussing two players that have played important roles for the Spanish National Team in their quest to win the World Cup in South Africa, but whose contributions might not be as noticeable as those of players such as David Villa, Xavi Hernández, or Andrés Iniesta. According to Marca writer Javier Estepa, FC Barcelona players midfielder Sergio Busquets (21) and forward Pedro Rodríguez (22) are the ‘stars in the shadows.’ What follows is a translation of his article, which can be found here.
Catalán sports daily El Mundo Deportivo described in an article how FC Barcelona and Spanish International forward Pedro Rodríguez (22) reacted upon learning that he had been chosen to start in the World Cup semifinal against Germany.
Thieves took advantage of the moment to rob the hotel room of FC Barcelona players Pedro Rodriguez and Sergio Busquets ahead of their World Cup semi-final match with Germany on Wednesday, according to a report today in Sport.
Predicting the semi-final game score between Spain and Germany was probably beyond one’s grasp as the game was thought to be a 50/50 chance for both teams. Even Paule, the German octopus, hesitated for a while before choosing Spain as a winner of the game – well he certainly did a great job! The game was to be a test for both teams. The German team to see whether they will be able to stand against the La Roja, and for the Spanish team to see if they will appear in their usual form as a strong and confident team. Seven of Barcelona players started the game while Valdes remained on the bench. Vicente del Bosque, Spain’s coach, realized that in a game against a strong German team a fit, fast and energetic player is needed to cause trouble up front as Torres was unable to find himself yet throughout the competition.
Read some brief notes about the match after the jump, and add your own thoughts on the game.
Spanish international and FC Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez (22) is convinced that David Villa will be a top asset for the club once he starts to feature in competitive matches. Pedro believes that Villa will be a scoring machine and won’t struggle or have any difficulties fitting into the Blaugrana outfit.
The Spanish team players in the quarter-final game against Paraguay tonight were hoping to be the first Spanish team to ever qualify for the semi-finals in the World Cup. Vicente del Bosque, Spain’s coach, relied on the same line-up from the previous game with six Blaugrana players starting while Pedro and Valdes were on the bench. Paraguay had played relatively easy games before the game against Spain and they were to be put to test against a Spanish team that has yet to reach its full potential! Neither team has ever made it to the World Cup semi-finals before, a reason that might have ignited both teams to give their best for a never-accomplished-before achievement.
Read some brief notes about the match after the jump, and add your own thoughts on the game.
With the same starting line-up from the last game against Chile, Spain went on to play their first game of the knock-out round against Portugal. Blaugrana players Pedro and Valdes started on the bench. At this stage, Spain knew they could not play the same way they had in the group stages, for there was no other way but to win the game in order to qualify for the quarter-finals. Portugal, until the game against Spain, had the best defense in the World Cup, with no goals conceded. Once again the Spanish team was put to test as to whether they might qualify for the quarter-finals!
Read some brief notes about the match after the jump, and add your own thoughts on the game.
The Spanish national team knew their third game in the group stages of the World Cup would be a tough one. The statistics before their game against Chile witnessed four South American teams qualifying to the second round, everyone topping their groups, and without a single loss! To qualify, Spain had no other choice but to win. Six Barcelona players were in the starting line-up while Pedro and Valdes started on the bench. The Spanish team was under pressure from the beginning of the game while the Chilean team was a bit more relaxed having won their previous two games against Honduras and Switzerland.
Read some brief notes about the match after the jump, and add your own thoughts on the game.
According to Catalan sports daily El Mundo Deprotivo, FC Barcelona and Argentine International forward Lionel Messi (23 on June 24th), and Real Madrid rivals Gonzalo Higuaín and Cristiano Ronaldo are the candidates for the LFP (Liga de Fútbol Profesional) First Division award for “Best Forward” of the 2009-2010 season.
Spain’s second game in the group stages of the World Cup was against Honduras. To qualify for the knock-out round, Spain has to secure six points after their first loss against Switzerland. Five of Barcelona players were in the starting line up, while Iniesta, Pedro and Valdes started on the bench. Honduras qualified only once before the current World Cup; that was during the 1982 World Cup and they are considered to have weak chances of qualifying to the second round.
Read some brief notes about the match after the jump, and add your own thoughts on the game.
FC Barcelona striker and Spanish international Pedro Rodriguez (22) recently revealed some interesting facts from his personal life in an interview with EFE. Pedro is currently in South Africa with the Spanish national team, hoping to overcome the loss against Switzerland in the hunt for World Cup glory, but took the time to answer a few questions, mostly non-football related.
A number of FC Barcelona’s Spanish international players were involved in the match played against Switzerland in their first game of the group stages. Switzerland are famous for their tough defense and effective defensive strategies which allowed them to qualify for the round of 16 at the World Cup in 2006, ranking first in the table. During the game, six Barcelona players were in the starting line up while Pedro and Valdes started on the bench.
Read some brief notes about the match after the jump, and add your own thoughts on the game.
The following is a translated interview between Spanish Agency EFE and Pedro Rodriguez.
The World Cup has started. It’d be impossible for your season to have gone any better.
I’m very happy to be one of the 23 players after having had such a good season. It makes me proud to be here.
Pedrito. Pedro. Don Pedro. The goal-scoring explosion that is FC Barcelona and Spanish International forward Pedro Rodriguez (22) seems to know no bounds. He made history with Barcelona by being the only player (the only one, throughout the history of football!) to score in every competition in which his team could compete (all six of them) in a single season, and now, based on his performance in Spain’s last friendly match before the World Cup, he seems ready to add to that list.
Catalan sports paper Sport report that FC Barcelona forward and Spanish international Pedro Rodriguez (22) will sign his contract renewal today. The deal will see an increase in Pedro’s wages and will also see him stay with the club until 2015.
The Spanish national team routed Poland 6-0 in their final friendly before the beginning of the World Cup on June 11. Two blaugrana squadmates were on the scoresheet: David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB3mD2U58bM&playnext_from=TL&videos=fm_K_b07feo&feature=sub
Last season saw many highpoints for Barca to enjoy, not least of which was winning a 20th league title, beating Madrid home and away in the process. Good times for sure. And it is thanks to some consistently outstanding displays from so many of our players that we can look back on the last campaign so fondly.
As preparation for the World Cup slowly begins to dominate the realm of football, many of the blaugrana‘s stars have switched their focus to helping their national teams gear up for South Africa 2010. Some such stars were on display in recent friendly encounters involving France and Spain.
Catalan newspaper El Periódico presented an interview with FC Barcelona forward and new Spanish International Pedro Rodríguez (22). The original can be found here.
For you, has this been easier with so many of your Barça teammates here?
After an amazing season with the first team, Barcelona president Joan Laporta made good on his word and has officially offered Barcelona attacker and Spanish international Pedro Rodriguez (22) a new contract that substantially increases his wages.
![[UPDATED] Albiol switches numbers; Pedro is 18](http://www.totalbarca.com/wp-content/themes/totalbarca/timthumb.php?src=http://www.totalbarca.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/210.jpg&w=576&zc=1&q=90)
Catalan news site Sport presented a report that explained how FC Barcelona forward Pedro Rodríguez (22) ended up with a number traditionally associated with a defensive position — the number 2 .
[UPDATE] Madrid based news site Marca reports today that Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol has switched numbers with Pedro, who had the opportunity to show off his official jersey number in the team photo, taken before today’s first training session.
May 24, 2010, was the first day of training for the Spanish national team, which gathered in La Ciudad del Fútbol, in Las Rozas, a municipality of Madrid. Catalan news site Sport presented details of how the day went for the two newest members of the blaugrana contingent of La Furia Roja: FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdés (28) and forward Pedro Rodriguez (22).
Yesterday, Catalan new site Sport, based on “inside information,” published a list of who would most likely be on the final list for Spain. Today, Spanish National Team coach Vicente Del Bosque released the official 23-man World Cup roster for Spain. Contrary to their information, Del Bosque has included both blaugrana players in his final list. Congratulations to them both!
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