Real Madrid are on the cusp of another trophy, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup contested between the champions of the world’s six continents. In their way stand Mexican side Pachuca and a familiar face to Premier League audiences in Salomon Rondon.
Rondon is now 35 years old but his career is anything but winding down. In fact, for the former West Brom, Newcastle and Everton striker, it has been the most remarkable year of his life. Rejuvenated in Mexico, the goals and the trophies have been flowing fast.
There have been 26 goals in total since joining Pachuca in January, a club that is, ironically, noted for its 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 surprised Columbus Crew 3-0 in the final in June earned the Mexican club their place in a FIFA competition for the first time. And Rondon's dream run has continued in Qatar to set up the Madrid meeting.
The format of the new Intercontinental Cup pitted Pachuca against the newly-crowned champions of South America Botafogo in a de facto quarter-final in Doha. That match doubled as the Derby of the Americas with a trophy to boot. Pachuca picked up a 3-0 win.
Rondon scored the third, the Botafogo defenders beaten and bullied by the experienced target man. Pachuca won the semi-final against Al-Ahly too - the so-called Challenger Cup bringing yet more silverware. There are Indian summers and then there is this.
CF Pachuca's Salomon Rondon, center, lifts the trophy after winning the Intercontinental Cup soccer match against Al Ahly FC at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)
Image: Salomon Rondon lifts yet another trophy after winning the Challenger Cup in Qatar
"We have won two titles in four days, and we now want the third against Real Madrid," Rondon tells Sky Sports. "I am very happy and proud to be part of this amazing club and to be experiencing these things. No words can describe what we have achieved."
A consistent Premier League scorer for West Brom and Newcastle, Rondon's time at Everton was more difficult. But what had looked like it might be the end of the journey was, in a sense, just the start. Incredibly, Rondon has played pretty much non-stop since then.
Leaving Everton in December 2022, he signed for River Plate the following month and helped them to win the title in Argentina. Upon completing the year in Buenos Aires, he moved to Mexico at the beginning of 2024 and just kept on playing and playing.
Al Ahly's Yahya Attiat-Allah, bottom, reacts after competing for the ball against CF Pachuca's Salomon Rondon during the Intercontinental Cup soccer match between CF Pachuca and Al Ahly FC at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)
Image: 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 in the summer. As recently as October, he scored the equaliser as Venezuela drew with holders Argentina in World Cup qualifying.
"This year has been a great one for me," says Rondon. I am very grateful because this year, I have once again shown my desire to continue improving and giving my all, and that will continue to be the case. I am really enjoying myself right now."
He adds: "You can tell how much I'm enjoying my football from my nomination for The Best FIFA Men's 11." Yes, it is worth mentioning. Rondon was on the list of the 21 outstanding attackers in world football during 2024, reflecting his astonishing renaissance.
CF Pachuca's Salomon Rondon celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Intercontinental Cup soccer match between Botafogo and CF Pachuca in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)
Image: Salomon Rondon celebrates after scoring his side's third goal against Botafogo
Maybe it is never too late to improve. And perhaps the best is yet to come for Rondon. Real Madrid will be huge favourites on Wednesday but Pachuca are beginning to enjoy this underdog tag. "We obviously had high hopes for this Intercontinental Cup," he says.
"We came to Qatar intent on having a great tournament and ending 2024, which has brought us so much joy, in the best possible way. We have performed to our best. We came here as CONCACAF champions and we come away as champions of the Americas.
"We face a really tough match now but we go into it with great enthusiasm. I have already achieved some great things, but there are still a few days of the year. Real Madrid await us and that is a big motivation. I really hope we can sign off with a win."