Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez’s biography, net worth, fact, career, awards and life story

Intro Argentine footballer
A.K.A. Gonzalo Javier Rodriguez Prado
Is Athlete 
Football player 
Association football player 
From Argentina 
Type Sports 
Gender male
Birth 10 April 1984, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Age: 36 years
Stats
Height: 182
Weight: 79

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

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 playing with San Lorenzo de Almagro. He made his Primera División debut on 26 July 2002 at the age of only 18, against Rosario Central.

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

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. However, after the surprise elimination from the UEFA Intertoto Cup at the hands of NK Maribor, in which he was sent off, 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.

Rodríguez returned to good form in the 2008–09 campaign, often partnering 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 quarter-finals 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.

Fiorentina

In early August 2012, following Villarreal’s relegation, Gonzalo joined Italian side ACF Fiorentina along with teammate Borja Valero. He scored six Serie A goals from 35 appearances in his first year, helping to a final fourth place and the subsequent qualification to the Europa League.

In 2015–16, Rodríguez was named new team captain by new manager Paulo Sousa. He made his 200th competitive appearance for the club on 9 April 2017, and marked the occasion with his 25th goal in a 2–2 away draw against U.C. Sampdoria.

Career statistics

Club

Club Season League Cup International Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Villarreal 2004–05 34 2 0 0 13 1 47 3
2005–06 29 0 0 0 11 0 40 0
2006–07 6 0 0 0 2 0 8 0
2007–08 18 0 0 0 2 0 20 0
2008–09 27 2 0 0 8 0 35 2
2009–10 21 0 2 0 7 0 30 0
2010–11 23 1 6 0 10 1 39 2
2011–12 26 1 0 0 5 0 31 1
Total 184 6 8 0 58 2 250 8
Fiorentina 2012–13 35 6 3 0 0 0 38 6
2013–14 33 4 5 0 10 2 48 6
2014–15 30 7 3 0 10 1 43 8
2015–16 35 4 1 0 5 0 41 4
2016–17 22 0 0 0 7 0 29 0
Total 155 21 12 0 32 3 199 24
Career Total 339 27 20 0 90 5 449 32

International

Argentina
Year Apps Goals
2003 2 1
2004 1 0
2005 2 0
2006 – –
2007 – –
2008 1 0
2009 – –
2010 – –
2011 – –
2012 – –
2013 – –
2014 – –
2015 1 0
Total 7 1

International goals

Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 3 February 2003 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, United States  Mexico 1–0 1–0 Friendly

Honours

Individual

  • Fiorentina All-time XI
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