Real Madrid face Pachuca on Wednesday in Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar
Salomon Rondon is he hopeful can deliver blows to floor Carlo Ancelotti's side
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By SIMON JONES
Published: 12:04 EST, 17 December 2024 | Updated: 12:04 EST, 17 December 2024
Former Everton and Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon is looking to topple European champions Real Madrid tomorrow as he leads Mexican side Pachuca in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Rondon, now 35, left Everton two years ago but is enjoying the twilight of his career at Pachuca where he was named captain earlier in the season after joining from River Plate.
His first season at Pachuca has been the best of his career in terms of silverware claiming the CONCACAF Champions Cup, FIFA Derby of the Americas and FIFA Challenger Cup.
He has scored 26 goals this season and was top scorer in the CONCACAF Champions Cup with nine. It has subsequently led to him being nominated for FIFA's Best Men's 11 and saw him crowned the outstanding forward in the Clausura Liga MX campaign.
A huge boxing enthusiast, Rondon is now hoping he can deliver the blows to floor Carlo Ancelotti's galacticos, Jude Bellingham et al.
'We've won two titles in the space of four days, and we now want the third against Real Madrid. I really hope we can sign off what's been an amazing year with another win,' he told Sportsmail.
Rondon left Everton two years ago but is enjoying the twilight of his career at Pachuca
Rondon has scored 26 goals this season and was top scorer in the CONCACAF Champions Cup
The striker is looking to topple European champions Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup
'This year has been a great one for me. I've already achieved some great things, but there are still a few days of the year left and a big challenge ahead of us. I'm really enjoying myself right now. You can tell how much I'm enjoying my football from my nomination for The Best FIFA Men's 11.
'I'm very grateful because this year, I've once again shown my desire to continue improving and giving my all, and that'll continue to be the case.
'Real Madrid await in the final, and that's a big motivation for us. I've already come up against that great club during my spells at Las Palmas and Málaga. I'm sure it'll be a great contest.
'We face a really tough match now but we go into it with great enthusiasm. I really hope we can sign off with a win.'
The Mexican club earned their place in a FIFA competition for the first time after beating MLS side Columbus Crew 3-0 in June.
In Qatar, the format of the new Intercontinental Cup pitted Pachuca against the South American champions Botafogo in a quarter-final in Doha. That match doubled as the Derby of the Americas and Pachuca picked up a trophy as well as a 3-0 win.
Rondon scored the third, using his strength and experience to bully the Botafogo defenders before Pachuca went on to win the semi-final against Al-Ahly and the Challenger Cup in the process.
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