Gustavo Juan Leo Rodriguez
Born: 22nd April 1973, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Position: CB – NCB
Played For: Real Madrid (1989-1991) , Tenerife (1991-2013), Spain (1991-2012)
Career Stats:
Time | Club | Stats |
1989-91 | Real Madrid | 30 (1) |
1991-2013 | CD Tenerife | 662 (102) |
Time | Nation | Stats |
1982-1984 | England U13s | 10 (0) |
1984-1988 | England U16s | 12 (2) |
1988-1991 | Spain U21s | 15 (1) |
1991-2012 | Spain | 104 (10) |
Gustavo was born on the 22nd April 1973 in Tenerife. In a playing career which spanned 24 years he made 692 club appearances scoring 103 goals. Gustavo has just taken the PSV hot seat. Gustavo began his career at Tenerife B before moving to Real Madrid Castilla in 1987. He then made his Real Madrid debut playing against FC Barcelona in an El Clasico derby. The match ended Real 3-1 Barca with Rodriguez scoring and receiving immense appraisal for his performance from people such as Franz Beckenbauer. He then moved for 100k to his hometown and his second favourite team CD Tenerife. From there he established himself as a legend, becoming their youngest captain ever at 21 years old and implementing his legendary status at the club. He’s also one of the highest appearance makers for his nation with 104 appearances, scoring 10 goals in that time.
Early Life: Born to Jesus Rodriguez and Angela Rodriguez (Neé Smith) in Tenerife he is one of 8 children with his siblings being: Luis Damian Rodriguez (Born 1970), Alexis Tony Rodriguz (Born 1972), Gustavo Juan Leo Rodriguez (himself born 1973), John Frank Rodriguez (born 1975) Hugo Emilio Rodriguez (born 1978), Johan Ferenc Rodriguez (born 1981), Diego Pele Rodriguez (born 1987) and Raul Jesus Rodriguez (born 1989). His parents were both born in 1950 but were raised very differently. Jesus being from Spain was raised as a gentlemanly Spaniard whereas Angela was raised in Berwick near Newcastle so was raised as a Geordie is the best way to put it. Anyways, there is meaning behind each of their children’s names. Luis is named after Jesus’ dad Luis, and Luis’ dad Damian, Alexis gets his first name from Jesus’ dog when he was a child, and Tony was Angela’s favourite male name, Gustavo gets his first name from his Hispanic uncle, his first middle name is his dad’s middle name, his second is a English and Spanish name, John is the name of Angela’s dad and Frank is her grandads name. Hugo is named after Jesus’ cousin who died very young and Emilio was Jesus’ old friend who was shot at the age of 24 (1974) Johan is named after two great footballers, Johan Cruyff and Ferenc Puskas, Diego Pele has the same story with his namesakes being Diego Maradona and Pele and the final child being Raul, named because both parents liked the name and Jesus after clearly Jesus because they decided Raul to be their final child.