Real Madrid are on the verge of another trophy, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup which is contested between the champions of the six continents of the world. Standing in their way are Mexican side Pachuca and a familiar face to Premier League audiences in Salomon Rondon.
Rondon is now 35 years old, but his career is far from over. In fact, for the former striker of West Brom, Newcastle and Everton it was the most remarkable year of his life. Refreshed in Mexico, the goals and trophies rolled in quickly.
There have been 26 goals in total since joining Pachuca in January, a club ironically renowned for their youth development. Rondon was not only the top scorer in the Clausura Liga MX campaign, he was also the top scorer in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
A man of the match performance in the final as Pachuca stunned Columbus Crew 3-0 in the final in June earned the Mexican side a place in a FIFA competition for the first time. And Rondon’s dream continued in Qatar to set up the Madrid meeting.
The new Intercontinental Cup format pitted Pachuca against newly crowned South American champions Botafogo in a de facto quarter-final in Doha. This race doubled as America’s Derby with a trophy to boot. Pachuca won 3-0.
Rondon scored the third, the Botafogo defenders beaten and intimidated by the experienced target. Pachuca also won the semi-final against Al-Ahly – the so-called Challenger Cup bringing even more silverware. There are Indian summers and then there is this.
Salomon Rondon lifts yet another trophy after winning the Challenger Cup in Qatar
“We won two titles in four days and now we want the third against Real Madrid,” says Rondon Sky Sports. “I am very happy and proud to be part of this amazing club and to experience these things. There are no words to describe what we have achieved.”
A consistent Premier League goalscorer for West Brom and Newcastle, Rondon’s spell at Everton was more difficult. But what looked like it could be the end of the journey was, in a sense, only the beginning. Incredibly, Rondon has played almost non-stop since then.
Leaving Everton in December 2022, he signed for River Plate the following month and helped them win the title in Argentina. After completing the year in Buenos Aires, he moved to Mexico in early 2024 and just kept playing and playing.
Salomon Rondon has been a revelation since signing for Pachuca in January
There was no international retirement for Venezuela either. Rondon was the second top scorer in the Copa America this summer. Just in October, he scored the equalizer as Venezuela drew with Argentina in World Cup qualifying.
“This year has been a great year for me,” Rondon says. I am very grateful because this year, I have once again shown my desire to keep improving and give my all, and that will continue to be the case. I’m really enjoying myself right now.”
He adds: “You can tell how much I enjoy my football from my nomination for The Best FIFA Men’s 11.” Yes, it’s worth mentioning. Rondon was on the list of 21 outstanding strikers in world football in 2024, reflecting his amazing renaissance.
Salomon Rondon celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal against Botafogo
Maybe it’s never too late to improve. And perhaps the best is yet to come for Rondon. Real Madrid will be huge favorites on Wednesday, but Pachuca are starting to enjoy this underdog. “Obviously we had high hopes for this Intercontinental Cup,” he says.
“We came to Qatar with the intention of having a great tournament and finishing 2024, which has brought us so much joy, in the best possible way. We gave our best. We came here as CONCACAF champions and we are leaving as America’s champions.
“We are facing a very difficult match now, but we are going into it with great enthusiasm. I have already achieved some great things, but there are still a few days left in the year. Real Madrid is waiting for us and that is a great motivation. I really hope we can sign with a win”.
