 Rodríguez in action for Porto in 2010 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Cristian Gabriel Rodríguez Barotti | ||
| Date of birth | 30 September 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Juan Lacaze, Uruguay | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Playing position | Winger | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Atlético Madrid | ||
| Number | 11 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2002–2005 | Peñarol | 40 | (4) |
| 2005–2008 | Paris Saint-Germain | 36 | (1) |
| 2007–2008 | → Benfica (loan) | 24 | (6) |
| 2008–2012 | Porto | 70 | (12) |
| 2012– | Atlético Madrid | 41 | (2) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2005 | Uruguay U20 | 9 | (5) |
| 2003– | Uruguay | 70 | (8) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 June 2013.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 01:00, 21 November 2013 (UTC) | |||
Cristian Gabriel Rodríguez Barotti (born 30 September 1985) is a Uruguayan professional footballerwho plays for Atlético Madrid in Spain, mainly as a left winger.
Having received the nickname Cebolla (onion) from his Peñarol days, when it was once said he "made the opposing defence cry," he is well known for his speed and technical ability. He also played several seasons in Portugal, with both Benfica and Porto.
Rodríguez gained more than 60 caps for Uruguay, representing the country in three Copa Américatournaments.
Early life
Born in Juan Lacaze, Rodríguez excelled in his studies and was offered a place at the University of the Republic to study architecture. But, at the last minute, he opted to become a professional footballer.
Club career
Peñarol / Paris SG
Rodríguez started playing professionally, still a youngster, for local giants C.A. Peñarol in the Uruguayan first division, 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 club supporters, but he eventually escaped a fine or suspension.[1]
In 2005, Rodríguez was transferred to French outfit Paris Saint-Germain F.C. on a free transfer, along withCarlos Bueno.[2][3] After appearing scarcely in his first season in Ligue 1, he was important in helping thecapital team barely avoid relegation, scoring his only goal in a 4–2 home win against AS Monaco FC.
Porto
In late August 2007 Rodríguez moved to Portugal's S.L. Benfica in a season-long loan, together with countryman Maximiliano Pereira, who was bought from Defensor Sporting.[4] After being one of the Reds'most important players through 2007–08, he was bought by fellow top division side F.C. Porto in June 2008[5][6](but part of the transfer fee was paid to Play International B.V.[7]). During the two team's match inLisbon on 30 August 2008, he was subjected to vitriolic abuse from the stands, in a 1–1 final draw; nonetheless he eventually settled at the new club, forming an attacking trio with Argentine Lisandro López and Brazilian Hulk, also scoring some goals through unsuspecting headers.
After Silvestre Varela was bought by Porto in the 2009 off-season, Rodríguez was relegated to a substitute role, but still appeared in 32 official games in the2010–11 season (two goals, including one in 11 matches in the club's victorious campaign in the UEFA Europa League).
Atlético Madrid
On 28 May 2012 Rodríguez signed for Atlético Madrid for four seasons, after being released by Porto.[8][9] He scored his first two goals for his new club in theEuropa League group stage, against Hapoel Tel Aviv FC (3–0 away win) 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.[10][11]
International career
Rodríguez made his Uruguayan national team debut at age 18 in a friendly against Mexico, and went on to represent the nation in two Copa Américatournaments, scoring in the 2007 edition in a 4–1 win over Venezuela, the host.
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 national team coach Oscar Tabárez opted to not select him for the final stages in South Africa.
International goals
| Goal | 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 Cristobal, 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 PR | 0–3 | 0–4 | Friendly |
| 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 |
Honours
Club
- Peñarol
- Paris SG
- Porto
- UEFA Europa League: 2010–11
- Portuguese League: 2008–09, 2010–11, 2011–12
- Portuguese Cup: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
- Portuguese Supercup: 2009, 2010, 2011
- Atlético Madrid
