- Real Madrid faces Pachuca on Wednesday in the final of the Intercontinental Cup in Qatar
- Salomón Rondón hopes to be able to deal blows to Carlo Ancelotti’s team
- LISTEN NOW: It’s all starting! The reason why Pep Guardiola would leave Manchester City
Former Everton and Newcastle striker Salomón Rondón looks to defeat European champions Real Madrid tomorrow as he leads Mexican side Pachuca in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Rondón, now 35, left Everton two years ago but is enjoying the twilight of his career at Pachuca, where he was named captain at the start of the season after joining from River Plate.
His first season in Pachuca has been the best of his career in terms of titles: the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the FIFA Americas Derby and the FIFA Challenger Cup.
He has scored 26 goals this season and was the top scorer in the CONCACAF Champions Cup with nine. It subsequently led to him being nominated for FIFA’s Best Men’s 11 and crowned the outstanding striker in the Clausura Liga MX campaign.
Rondón, a big boxing enthusiast, now hopes to land blows on the Galacticos of Carlo Ancelotti, Jude Bellingham and others.
“We have won two titles in four days and now we want the third against Real Madrid. I really hope we can close what has been an incredible year with another victory,” he told Sportsmail.
Rondón left Everton two years ago but is enjoying the twilight of his career in Pachuca
Rondón has scored 26 goals this season and was top scorer in the CONCACAF Champions Cup
The striker seeks to overthrow Real Madrid, European champion, in the Intercontinental Cup
‘This year has been fantastic for me. I have already achieved great things, but there are still a few days of the year and a great challenge ahead. I’m really enjoying it right now. You can see how much I enjoy my football by my nomination for The Best FIFA Men’s 11.
“I am very grateful because this year I have once again demonstrated my desire to continue improving and giving my all, and that will continue to be the case.
“Real Madrid is waiting for the final and that is a great motivation for us. I have already met this great club during my time in Las Palmas and Málaga. I am sure it will be a great contest.
‘Now we face a really difficult game, but we face it with great enthusiasm. “I really hope we can close with a win.”
The Mexican club earned its place in a FIFA competition for the first time after beating MLS side Columbus Crew 3-0 in June.
In Qatar, the new Intercontinental Cup format pitted Pachuca against South American champion Botafogo in the quarterfinals in Doha. That match served as the Derby of the Americas and Pachuca took a trophy and a 3-0 victory.
Rondón scored the third, using his strength and experience to intimidate Botafogo defenders before Pachuca won the semi-final against Al-Ahly and the Challenger Cup in the process.
