Cristian Rodríguez


Cristian Gabriel Rodríguez Barotti is a Uruguayan footballer who plays as a left winger for Peñarol.
Having received the nickname Cebolla from his Peñarol days, from his father, he is well known for his speed and technical ability. He played several seasons in Portugal with Benfica and Porto, and also competed professionally in France, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Argentina.
Rodríguez won 110 caps for Uruguay, representing the country in two World Cups and four Copa América tournaments and winning the 2011 edition of the latter.

Club career

Peñarol / Paris Saint-Germain

Born in Juan Lacaze, Rodríguez started playing professionally, still a youngster, for local 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.
In 2005, Rodríguez was transferred to French club Paris Saint-Germain F.C. on a free transfer, along with Carlos Bueno. After appearing scarcely in his first season in Ligue 1, he was important in helping the capital 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 compatriot Maxi Pereira who arrived from Defensor Sporting. After being one of their most important players through 2007–08, he was bought by fellow Primeira Liga side FC Porto in June 2008. During the two teams' match in Lisbon, on 30 August 2008, he was subjected to vitriolic abuse from the stands in a 1–1 final draw; he eventually settled at the new club nonetheless, forming an attacking trio with Argentine Lisandro López and Brazilian Hulk and 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. He still appeared in 32 official games in the 2010–11 season.
On 17 February 2014, Rodríguez was condemned to pay a €45,000 fine for assaulting two stewards at the Estádio da Luz, following a tunnel brawl during the 0–1 away league loss against Benfica on 20 December 2009.

Atlético Madrid

On 28 May 2012, Rodríguez signed for Atlético Madrid for four seasons after being released by Porto. He scored his first two goals for his new team in the Europa League group stage, against Hapoel Tel Aviv FC and FC Viktoria Plzeň ; in the latter, he netted the game's only goal through a thunderous left-foot shot in the 93rd minute.
On 20 January 2015, Rodríguez moved to Parma F.C. until the end of the season. Less than two months later, however, due to the Italian club's precarious financial situation, he joined Brazil's Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense also on loan.
Rodríguez left Grêmio on 8 May 2015, after struggling with injuries and totalling less than 80 minutes of action.

Independiente

On 24 July 2015, Rodríguez signed for Club Atlético Independiente for two seasons after being released by Atlético Madrid. After suffering from several injury problems, his contract was terminated on 19 December 2016.

International career

Rodríguez made his Uruguay national team debut at age 18 in a friendly against Mexico, and went on to represent the nation in two Copa América tournaments, scoring in the 2007 edition in a 4–1 quarter-final win over Venezuela, the host. After assaulting Argentina's Gabriel Heinze during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage he received a four-match ban, and coach Oscar Tabárez opted to not select him for the final stages in South Africa.
Rodríguez was included in the 2015 Copa América squad, scoring the only goal in the tournament opener against Jamaica in Antofagasta. The 32-year-old was also selected for the 2018 World Cup.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.9 October 2004Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina4–14–22006 World Cup qualification
2.7 July 2007Polideportivo Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal, Venezuela1–31–42007 Copa América
3.25 May 2008RewirpowerSTADION, Bochum, Germany2–32–3Friendly
4.12 October 2010Wuhan Sports Center, Wuhan, China0–30–4Friendly
5.10 June 2012Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay3–24–22014 World Cup qualification
6.6 February 2013Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–13–1Friendly
7.15 October 2013Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay1–03–22014 World Cup qualification
8.13 November 2013Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan0–40–52014 World Cup qualification
9.13 June 2015Estadio Regional, Antofagasta, Chile1–01–02015 Copa América
10.6 September 2016Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay2–02–02018 World Cup qualification
11.11 October 2016Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia1–12–22018 World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

Peñarol
Paris Saint-Germain
Porto
Atlético Madrid
Uruguay