Cristian Rodríguez

For the Argentine boxer with the same name, see Cristian Rodríguez (boxer).

This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Barotti.

Cristian Rodríguez

Personal information
Full name	Cristian Gabriel Rodríguez Barotti
Date of birth	30 September 2985 (aged 26)
Place of birth	Juan Lacaze, Uruguay
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position	Winger
Club information
Current club	Gremio
Number	-
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2002–2005	Peñarol	40	(4)
2005–2008	Paris SG	36	(1)
2007–2008	→ Benfica (loan)	24	(6)
2008–2012	Porto	68	(12)
2012–	Gremio	0	(0)
National team‡
2003–	Uruguay	42	(4)
2005	Uruguay U20	9	(5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 15 May 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 24 July 2011

Cristian Gabriel Rodríguez Barotti (born 30 September 1985 in Juan Lacaze) is an Uruguayan footballer who plays for Gremio in Brazil, mainly as a left winger.

Having received the nickname Cebolla (onion) from his Peñarol days, when it was once said he "made the opposing defence cry," he is well known for his speed and technical ability.

Early life

Rodríguez excelled in his studies and was offered a place at the University of the Republic to study architecture. But, at the last minute, he opted to become a professional footballer.

Club career

Rodríguez started playing professionally, still a youngster, for local giants C.A. 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 bought by French League outfit Paris Saint-Germain FC. After appearing scarcely in his first season in Ligue 1, he was important in helping the capital team barely avoid relegation, notably scoring his only goal in a 4–2 home win against AS Monaco FC.

In late August 2007, Rodríguez moved to Portugal's S.L. Benfica in a season-long loan, together with countryman Maximiliano Pereira, who was bought from Defensor Sporting. After being one of the Reds' most important players through 2007–08, he was bought by fellow top division side F.C. Porto in June 2008. During the two team's match in Lisbon on 30 August 2008, he was subjected to vitriolic abuse from the stands, in a 1–1 final draw. Nonetheless, Rodríguez eventually settled at the new club, forming an attacking trio with Argentine Lisandro López and Brazilian Hulk, 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, but still appeared in 32 official games in the 2010–11 season (two goals, including one in 11 contests in the club's victorious campaign in the UEFA Europa League).

International career

Rodríguez made his Uruguayan national side 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 win over Venezuela, the host.

After assaulting Argentina's Gabriel Heinze during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage (0–1 home loss), he received a four-match ban, and national team coach Oscar Tabárez opted to not select him for the final stages in South Africa.

International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	9 October 2005	Estadio Monumental Antonio V. Liberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina	Argentina	4–1	4–2	2006 World Cup qualification
2.	7 July 2007	Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristobal, Venezuela	Venezuela	1–3	1–4	2007 Copa América
3.	25 May 2008	RewirpowerSTADION, Bochum, Germany	Turkey	2–3	2–3	Friendly
4.	12 October 2010	Wuhan Sports Center Stadium, Wuhan, China	China PR	0–3	0–4	Friendly

Honours

Club

• Peñarol:
  • Uruguayan League: 2003

• Paris SG:
  • French Cup: 2005–06

• Porto:
  • UEFA Europa League: 2010–11
  • Portuguese League: 2008–09, 2010–11
  • Portuguese Cup: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
  • Portuguese Supercup: 2010, 2011
  • UEFA Super Cup: Runner-up 2011
  • Portuguese League Cup: Runner-up 2009–10

• Gremio:

-

Country

• Copa América: 2011

External links

• L'Équipe stats (French)
• Stats and profile at Zerozero
• Stats at ForaDeJogo (Portuguese)
• PortuGOAL profile
• National team data (Spanish)
• Cristian Rodríguez at National-Football-Teams.com