World Cup winner Pedro calls time on 20-year career at 39

Former Spain forward Pedro Rodríguez has announced his retirement from football at the age of 39, bringing the curtain down on a glittering 20-year career that yielded 25 major trophies, Reuters reported.

Pedro, who became a free agent after leaving Lazio when his contract expired in July, confirmed the news in a statement on social media. “I feel it is time. The time to take a step forward and begin a new chapter in my life,” he said.

The Tenerife-born forward was a key member of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning squad, starting the final as La Roja beat the Netherlands, and helped Spain win Euro 2012.

Pedro broke into Barcelona’s first team in 2008 and flourished under Pep Guardiola, winning 20 major trophies with the Catalan club. He scored in the 3-1 Champions League final victory over Manchester United in 2011 and netted 99 goals in 321 games for Barça, according to Dawn.

He joined Chelsea in 2015, winning the Premier League title in his second season before adding the FA Cup and the Europa League in the following two seasons. After a season at AS Roma, he crossed the city to Lazio, where he spent the final five years of his career.

Pedro made 794 appearances at club level, scoring 197 goals, and netted 17 times in 65 appearances for Spain.