Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez

Gonzalo Rodríguez

Rodríguez with Fiorentina in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez Prado
Date of birth	(1984-04-10) 10 April 1984 (age 32)
Place of birth	Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Centre back
Club information
Current team	Fiorentina
Number	2
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2004	San Lorenzo	57	(4)
2004–2012	Villarreal	184	(6)
2012–	Fiorentina	144	(21)
National team‡
2003–	Argentina	7	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 25 November 2016 (UTC). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 6 September 2015

Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez Prado (American Spanish: [ɡonˈsalo roˈðɾiɣes]; born 10 April 1984), sometimes known as simply Gonzalo, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Italian club ACF Fiorentina.

After starting out at San Lorenzo, he spent most of his career with Villarreal, appearing in 253 official games over the course of eight La Liga seasons (nine goals).

Born in Buenos Aires, Gonzalo started playing with San Lorenzo de Almagro. He made his Primera División debut on 26 July 2002 at the age of only 18, against Rosario Central.

At age 20, Rodríguez had already represented Argentina, previously having appeared at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship with the under-20 team.

In July 2004, Rodríguez joined Spain's Villarreal CF, being an undisputed starter in his first two seasons and renewing his link for a further five years. However, after the surprise elimination from the UEFA Intertoto Cup at the hands of NK Maribor, in which he was sent off, and a mere month into the league season, he suffered a serious injury, tearing the cruciate ligament in his right knee; after returning to activity in April 2007, he suffered the same injury two months later.