Cristian Rodríguez


Cristian Gabriel Rodríguez Barrotti is a Uruguayan former professional footballer who played as a winger.
Having received the nickname Cebolla from his Peñarol days, from his father, he was known for his speed and technical ability. He spent several seasons in Portugal with Benfica and Porto, and also played in France, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Argentina.
Rodríguez earned 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 and Paris Saint-Germain

Born in Juan Lacaze, Rodríguez started playing professionally with local Peñarol in the Uruguayan Primera División, helping the side to the 2003 title aged 18. After an injury ruled him out for some games in late 2004, he was spotted by television cameras jumping in the stands alongside the supporters, but he eventually escaped a fine or suspension.
In 2005, Rodríguez was transferred to French club Paris Saint-Germain FC on a free transfer, along with Carlos Bueno. He appeared scarcely in his first season in Ligue 1, but was important in helping the team to barely avoid relegation in the second, 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 throughout 2007–08, he was bought by fellow Primeira Liga club 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 nonetheless, forming an attacking trio with Argentine Lisandro López and Brazilian Hulk and also scoring occasionally through headers.
Silvestre Varela was bought by Porto in the 2009 off-season, and Rodríguez was relegated to a substitute role. He still made 28 competitive appearances in the 2010–11 campaign.
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 a 1–0 away league loss to Benfica on 20 December 2009.

Atlético Madrid

On 28 May 2012, Rodríguez signed a four-year contract with Atlético Madrid 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 F.C. 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 joined 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 FBPA 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 agreed to a two-year deal at Club Atlético Independiente as a free agent. After suffering from several injury problems, his contract was terminated on 19 December 2016.

Return to Uruguay

On 3 February 2017, Rodríguez announced his return to Peñarol. He went on to win the 2017 and 2018 national championships as well as the 2018 Supercopa Uruguaya, ending his second stint in April 2021 with 126 appearances and 39 goals in all competitions.
Rodríguez joined Club Plaza Colonia de Deportes on 20 April 2021. On 17 January 2023, he announced his retirement at the age of 37.

International career

Rodríguez made his Uruguay national team debut at age 18 in a friendly against Mexico, and represented the nation in two Copa América tournaments, scoring in the 2007 edition in a 4–1 quarter-final win over Venezuela, the hosts. 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 to the final stages in South Africa.
Picked for the 2011 Copa América in Argentina, Rodríguez featured against Peru and Mexico in the group stage. Uruguay went on to win the tournament for the 15th time in their history.
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 to the 2018 World Cup.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
19 October 2004Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina1–42–42006 FIFA World Cup qualification
27 July 2007Polideportivo Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal, Venezuela3–14–12007 Copa América
325 May 2008RewirpowerSTADION, Bochum, Germany3–23–2Friendly
412 October 2010Wuhan Sports Center, Wuhan, China3–04–0  Friendly
510 June 2012Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay3–24–22014 World Cup qualification
66 February 2013Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–11–3Friendly
715 October 2013Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay1–03–22014 FIFA World Cup qualification
813 November 2013Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan4–05–02014 World Cup qualification
913 June 2015Estadio Regional, Antofagasta, Chile1–01–02015 Copa América
106 September 2016Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay2–02–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
1111 October 2016Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia1–12–22018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Peñarol
Paris Saint-Germain
Porto
Atlético Madrid
Uruguay