Real Madrid are on the brink of another trophy, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, contested between six world champions, with Mexico’s Pachuca and a familiar face to Premier League audiences in Salomon Rondon standing in their way.
Rondon is now 35, but his career is winding down. In fact, it has been the most remarkable year of his life for the former West Brom, Newcastle and Everton striker. The rejuvenated goals and trophies are flowing in quickly.
A total of 26 goals since joining Pachuca in January, a club noted ironically for its youth development, Rondon was not only the top scorer in the Clausura Liga MX, but also the top scorer in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The man of the match as Pachuca stunned Columbus Crew 3-0 in the final in June earned the Mexican club a place in the FIFA competition for the first time, and Rondon’s dream continued in Qatar to host the Madrid match.
The new Intercontinental Cup format pitted Pachuca against newly crowned South American champions Botafogo in Doha, with Pachuca winning 3-0.
Rondon scored the third, Botafogo’s defenders were beaten and harassed by an experienced target.Pachuca also won the semi-final against Al-Ahly in the so-called Challenger Cup.There are Indian summers, then there is this.
Salomon Rondon wins another trophy after winning the Challenger Cup in Qatar
“We have won two titles in four days, and now we want the third against Real Madrid,” said Rondon. Sky Sports. “I am very happy and proud to be a part of this great club and feel these things. No words can describe what we have achieved.”
A regular Premier League goalscorer at West Brom and Newcastle, Rondon’s time at Everton was more complicated is that Rondo has played pretty much 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 finishing 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 Copa America’s second top scorer in the summer, most recently scoring the equalizer in Venezuela’s World Cup qualifying draw with Argentina.
“This year has been great for me,” says Rondon. “I’m very grateful because this year I’ve shown my desire to continue to improve and give it my all. I’m really enjoying it right now.”
He adds: “You can tell how much I enjoy my football in the FIFA Men’s XI category.” Yes, it’s worth mentioning. Rondon was on the list of 21 outstanding strikers in world football during 2024, reflecting his amazing resurgence.
Salomon Rondon celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal against Botafogo
Maybe it’s never too late to improve. And maybe the best is yet to come for Rondon. Real Madrid will be big favorites on Wednesday, but Pachuca is starting to enjoy this underdog tag. “Obviously, we had high hopes for this Intercontinental Cup,” he says.
“We came to Qatar with the aim of having a great tournament and finishing 2024 in the best possible way. We came here as CONCACAF champions and we come out as champions of the Americas.
“Now we have a really tough match, but we’re going into it with great enthusiasm. I’ve already had some great successes, but Real Madrid is waiting for us, and I’m really hopeful “We can come out victorious.”
