Real Madrid is on the brink of another cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup which is a battle between the champions of the six continents of the world. Along the way is Mexican side Pachuca and a familiar face to Premier League audiences in Salomon Rondon.
Rondon is now 35 years old but his career is only coming to an end. In fact, for the former striker of West Brom, Newcastle and Everton, this was the most amazing year of his life. Restored in Mexico, the goals and rewards have been flowing quickly.
He has scored 26 goals in total since joining Pachuca in January, a club that, ironically, is known for youth development. Rondon was not only the top scorer in the Clausura Liga MX campaign but he was the top scorer in the CONCACAF Champions Cup as well.
A player of the match performance in the final as Pachuca stunned Columbus Crew 3-0 in the final in June earned the Mexican club their place in the FIFA competition for the first time. And Rondon's dream run has 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 semi-final in Doha. That game doubled as the Derby of the Americas with a trophy to boot. Pachuca won 3-0.
Rondon scored the third goal, the Botafogo defenders beaten and threatened by the experienced. 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 another trophy after winning the Challenger Cup in Qatar
“We have won two titles in four days, and now we want the third one against Real Madrid,” Rondon explains Sky Sports. “I am very happy and proud to be part of this amazing club and to experience these things. No words can describe what we have achieved.”
A regular Premier League goalscorer for West Brom and Newcastle, Rondon's time at Everton was more difficult. But what seemed to be the end of the journey was, in a sense, just the beginning. Surprisingly, Rondon has been largely unstoppable since then.
Leaving Everton in December 2022, he signed for River Plate the following month and helped them win the title in Argentina. When he finished the year in Buenos Aires, he moved to Mexico at the beginning of 2024 and continued to play and play.
Salomon Rondon has been a revelation since signing for Pachuca in January
There has been no international retirement for Venezuela either. Rondon was the second highest scorer at the Copa America this summer. As recently as October, he scored the equalizer as Venezuela drew with Argentina in World Cup qualifying.
“This year has been great for me,” said Rondon. I am very grateful because this year, I have shown my desire again to continue developing and giving my all, and that will continue as it will be. I'm really enjoying it now.”
He said: “You can tell how much I enjoy my football from being nominated for The Best FIFA Men's 11. Yes, it's worth mentioning. Rondon was on the list of the 21 outstanding strikers in world football in 2024, showing his remarkable renaissance.
Salomon Rondon celebrates after scoring his team's third goal against Botafogo
Maybe it's never too late to improve. And the best may be yet to come for Rondon. Real Madrid will be favorites on Wednesday but Pachuca is starting to enjoy this underdog tag. “Of course we had high hopes for this Intercontinental Cup,” he says.
“We came to Qatar expecting to have a great tournament and finish 2024, which gave us so much joy, in the best way. We have done our best. America.
“We have a very difficult game ahead of us now but we are going into it with great enthusiasm. I have already achieved great things, but there are still a few days of the year. Real Madrid is waiting for us and that is a big incentive. I really hope we can sign off with a win.”
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