Pedro announces retirement: ‘Italy touched my heart, you treated me like a son’
ROME, ITALY - MAY 23: Pedro Rodriguez of SS Lazio celebrates a second goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Pisa SC at Stadio Olimpico on May 23, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Former Barcelona, Chelsea and Lazio forward Pedro has announced his retirement from football at the age of 39.
The Spaniard confirmed the news in an emotional video filmed at the Camp Nou and posted on his Instagram account, four months after his contract with Lazio expired.
“I feel the time has come. The time to take a step forward and begin a new chapter in my life,” he wrote. “I leave proud of having lived my dream and of all the people who were by my side to make it happen. Thank you, football, for making me so happy.”
The video takes him back to the very beginning: “Even today I remember the noise, thousands of people in the stands and a 20-year-old boy from Tenerife waiting on the touchline, right here. That day I stepped onto a football pitch and opened the doors to another life. At that moment it was impossible to imagine what would happen next.”
Pedro on Barcelona, Chelsea and Lazio
Pedro became a key part of Pep Guardiola’s great Barcelona side, winning three Champions League titles, as well as the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and Euro 2012.
“Being part of the best Barça in history was a privilege. We won everything and amazed the world. My heart will always be with Barça. And one day, almost without believing it, I became a world champion and a starter in the World Cup final. London taught me to start again from zero, to discover another culture and to grow as a person.”
After five years at Chelsea, where he won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League, Pedro moved to Italy in 2020. He spent a season at Roma before crossing the capital to join Lazio in 2021.
Over footage of his time with the Biancocelesti, he switched from Spanish to Italian: “Italy… Italy touched my heart. I arrived as a veteran and you treated me like a son.”
He signed off with a string of thank-yous: “Today I return to where it all began, to close a wonderful chapter. I feel it’s the right time. Thanks to my teammates: the best thing wasn’t the titles, it was all of you. Thanks to the clubs that opened their doors to me. Thanks to the coaches who believed in me. Thanks to the fans for all their affection. And thanks to my children, my family and my friends.”
Xavi, Luis Alberto, Davide Zappacosta, Taty Castellanos and Keita Baldé were among the former teammates who paid tribute in the comments.
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