Maxi Rodríguez

Born in Rosario, Santa Fe, Rodríguez came through the youth set-up at Newell's Old Boys in the Primera División. He played with the club for three seasons, before moving to Spain.

In March 2002, Rodríguez agreed to a four-year deal with the option of a fifth at RCD Espanyol in La Liga.{{cite news|url=https://www.libertaddigital.com/deportes/2002-03-27/el-espanyol-ficha-al-argentino-maxi-rodriguez-para-las-cuatro-proximas-temporadas-65132/|title=El Espanyol ficha al argentino Maxi Rodríguez para las cuatro próximas temporadas|trans-title=Espanyol sign Argentine Maxi Rodríguez for the next four seasons|newspaper=Libertad Digital|language=es|date=27 March 2002|access-date=13 June 2023}} The transfer was frozen in May – after the player's presentation – by a court in Argentina who alleged irregularities in the actions of Newell's president Eduardo López;{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2002/05/24/mas_futbol/1022191221_850215.html|title=Paralizado el fichaje de Maxi Rodríguez|trans-title=Maxi Rodríguez's signing paralysed|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=26 May 2002|access-date=13 June 2023}} on 26 June the deal was concluded, for a €5 million fee in three instalments and with a buyout clause of €24 million.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2002/06/26/mas_futbol/1025042424_850215.html|title=Maxi Rodríguez es definitivamente jugador del Espanyol|trans-title=Maxi Rodríguez is definitely an Espanyol player|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=26 June 2002|access-date=13 June 2023}} He made his debut on 2 September by featuring the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 loss away to Real Madrid, and scored his first goal on 27 October to decide a 4–3 comeback at Málaga CF in his team's first away victory for over a year.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/masdeporte/2002/10/27/polideportivo/1035692149_850215.html|title=La gran remontada de Iván y Tamudo|trans-title=Iván and Tamudo's great comeback|newspaper=Diario AS|last=Guasch|first=Tomás|language=es|date=28 October 2002|access-date=13 June 2023}}

Rodríguez played 37 matches in every campaign with the Catalans, scoring 15 goals during his last to finish joint seventh for the Pichichi Trophy.{{cite news|url=https://www.libertaddigital.com/deportes/goleadores-forlan-supera-a-etoo-como-pichichi-y-comparte-con-henry-la-bota-de-oro-1276252678/|title=GOLEADORES: Forlán supera a Eto'o como pichichi y comparte con Henry la 'Bota de Oro'|trans-title=GOALSCORERS: Forlán overtakes Eto'o as 'Pichichi' and shares with Henry the 'Golden Boot'|newspaper=Libertad Digital|language=es|date=29 May 2005|access-date=13 June 2023}} He opened his account for that season with a hat-trick in the second game, a 4–1 away win over Real Betis on 12 September,{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2004/09/13/pagina-19/783492/pdf.html|title=Maxi, tres goles que le hacen el 'Pichichi'de la Liga|trans-title=Maxi, three goals that make him the League's 'Pichichi'|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|last=Sans|first=Gabriel|language=es|date=13 September 2004|access-date=10 July 2014}} and followed it six days later with the only goal of a defeat of Real Madrid at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/sep/19/newsstory.sport3|title=Owen and Beckham suffer bleak defeat|newspaper=The Guardian|last=Campbell|first=Denis|date=19 September 2004|access-date=13 June 2023}} He also scored both goals of a win away to Real Sociedad on 7 November,{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2004/11/08/pagina-18/787747/pdf.html|title=Espanyol fulminante|trans-title=Overwhelming Espanyol|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|last=Juárez|first=Mari Carmen|language=es|date=8 November 2004|access-date=10 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fuerzaperica.com/en_busca_del_gol_perdido-noticias_del_rcd_espanyol-ispyp-1459384.htm|title=En busca del gol perdido|trans-title=In search of the lost goal|publisher=Fuerza Perica|language=es|date=10 March 2016|access-date=14 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315041712/http://www.fuerzaperica.com/en_busca_del_gol_perdido-noticias_del_rcd_espanyol-ispyp-1459384.htm|archive-date=15 March 2016}} while in the next fixture his penalty kick won the game against Racing de Santander and briefly put his side on top of the league ahead of city rivals FC Barcelona, though he was also sent off.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/01a3-0e6c5ca14cff-48862e254bed-1000--espanyol-enjoy-lofty-status/|title=Espanyol enjoy lofty status|publisher=UEFA|last=Hall|first=Andy|date=13 November 2004|access-date=13 June 2023}}

At the start of the 2005–06 season, Rodríguez moved to Atlético Madrid for a transfer fee of €5 million,{{cite web|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/news/story?id=340605|title=Al final llegaron a buen puerto|trans-title=Finally they agreed|publisher=ESPN Deportes|language=es|date=29 June 2005|access-date=28 August 2009}} where he continued to post consistent numbers. In his second year he suffered, alongside teammate (and winger) Martin Petrov, a serious knee injury (anterior cruciate ligament), which limited him to only ten appearances.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=385809&cc=5739|title=Maxi Rodriguez, Petrov out for six months|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=16 October 2006|access-date=28 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117052859/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=385809&cc=5739|archive-date=17 January 2012}}

On 10 November 2009, Rodríguez put four goals past UD Marbella in the Copa del Rey round-of-32 second leg, in an eventual 6–0 home win (8–0 aggregate).{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2009/11/10/futbol/copa_rey/1257883540.html|title=El Marbella paga los platos rotos del derbi|trans-title=Marbella pay derby wounds|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=10 November 2009|access-date=3 January 2013}} After the 2007 departure of Fernando Torres to Liverpool, he was selected as the new club captain;{{cite news|url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/torres-liverpool-atletico-336343/0/|title=Torres: "No echo de menos Madrid, ojalá hubiera venido antes al Liverpool"|trans-title=Torres: "I do not miss Madrid, I wish i'd come to Liverpool sooner"|newspaper=20 minutos|date=20 January 2008|access-date=24 August 2018}} he took no part in the Colchoneros' 2009–10 UEFA Europa League campaign, which ended in conquest.

File:Maxi Rodriguez 2011 Singapore.jpg in 2011]]

On 13 January 2010, Rodríguez completed a free transfer to Liverpool, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal; after securing his signature, Rafael Benítez described him as "comfortable on the ball, can pass and keep possession. He is good at getting into the box and scoring goals and a good finisher",{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5858007,00.html|title=Maxi makes Reds move|publisher=Sky Sports|date=13 January 2010|access-date=13 January 2010}} and the player was given the number 17 shirt,{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/in-profile-our-new-no-17|title=In profile: Our new no. 17|publisher=Liverpool F.C.|last=Hassall|first=Paul|date=13 January 2010|access-date=13 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116153904/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/in-profile-our-new-no-17|archive-date=16 January 2010}} making his debut for the club as a second-half substitute in a Premier League match against Stoke City on the 16th.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/stokecity/7004039/Stoke-City-1-Liverpool-1-match-report.html|title=Stoke City 1 Liverpool 1: match report|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|last=Smith|first=Rory|date=16 January 2010|access-date=20 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119201807/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/stokecity/7004039/Stoke-City-1-Liverpool-1-match-report.html|archive-date=19 January 2010}} His first full start came a week and a half later, in a 0–0 away draw to Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8473407.stm|title=Wolverhampton 0–0 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Sanghera|first=Mandeep|date=26 January 2010|access-date=5 April 2018}}

Rodríguez picked up two league assists in his first games, both of which were for former Atlético teammate Torres. He scored his first competitive goal in a 4–0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on 25 April 2010, playing the full 90 minutes.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7631789/Burnley-0-Liverpool-4-match-report.html|title=Burnley 0 Liverpool 4: match report|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|last=Smith|first=Rory|date=25 April 2010|access-date=27 May 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428080214/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7631789/Burnley-0-Liverpool-4-match-report.html|archive-date=28 April 2010}}

2010–11 was a good individual season for Rodríguez, who netted ten league goals for the team, including hat-tricks against Birmingham City (5–0 home victory){{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=292865&cc=5739|title=Maxi stars for Reds|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=23 April 2011|access-date=10 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425181349/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=292865&cc=5739|archive-date=25 April 2011}} and Fulham (5–2 at Craven Cottage). In the latter match, he scored twice in the opening seven minutes – the first being just after 32 seconds – and completed his exhibition with a 25-yard strike.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=293168&cc=5739|title=Maxi and Suarez star again for ruthless Reds|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=9 May 2011|access-date=10 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512034911/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=293168&cc=5739|archive-date=12 May 2011}}

On 8 July 2011, Rodríguez switched his jersey number to 11,{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/jordan-and-adam-numbers-set|title=Jordan and Adam numbers set|publisher=Liverpool F.C.|last=Rice|first=Jimmy|date=8 July 2011|access-date=10 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711082845/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/jordan-and-adam-numbers-set|archive-date=11 July 2011}} and he scored two goals in a pre-season friendly with Malaysia shortly after, which finished with a 6–3 win.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jul/16/liverpool-malaysian-xi-friendly|title=Liverpool owner gives backing to David Ngog and Alberto Aquilani|newspaper=The Guardian|last=Rich|first=Tim|date=16 July 2011|access-date=6 April 2018}} On 24 August, he was given his first start of the season in a League Cup tie against Exeter City, and netted the second in an eventual 3–1 away victory.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/330073?cc=5739|title=Reds ease to win|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=24 August 2011|access-date=10 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103063957/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/330073?cc=5739|archive-date=3 January 2013}}

On 20 November 2011, Rodríguez scored against Chelsea following a build-up with teammate Craig Bellamy, with Liverpool winning it 2–1 at Stamford Bridge.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/318049?cc=5739|title=Johnson returns to haunt Blues|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=20 November 2011|access-date=10 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103020613/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/318049?cc=5739|archive-date=3 January 2013}} Nine days later, against the same opponent, in the same venue and again with the decisive pass being made by the Welshman, he found the net in a 2–0 League Cup win,{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/333782?cc=5739|title=Chelsea dumped out by Liverpool|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=29 November 2011|access-date=10 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203052008/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/333782?cc=5739|archive-date=3 December 2011}} and his team went on to win the latter competition.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/17093419|title=Cardiff 2–2 Liverpool (Liverpool win 3–2 on penalties)|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Bevan|first=Chris|date=26 February 2012|access-date=6 July 2021}}

On 26 December 2011, Rodríguez scored just his second league goal of the season in a 1–1 draw at Anfield against Blackburn Rovers.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/318303?cc=5739|title=Reds held by resilient Rovers|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=26 December 2011|access-date=10 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103031519/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/318303?cc=5739|archive-date=3 January 2013}} He netted his last two on 10 April 2012, for a 3–2 away defeat of the same adversary.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17594143|title=Blackburn 2–3 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Jurejko|first=Jonathan|date=10 April 2012|access-date=10 April 2012}}

On 13 July 2012, after 73 official games and 17 goals scored, Rodríguez left Liverpool and returned to his first professional club Newell's Old Boys.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/lfc-confirm-maxi-departure|title=LFC confirm Maxi departure|publisher=Liverpool F.C.|last=Reade|first=Phil|date=13 July 2012|access-date=13 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714060301/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/lfc-confirm-maxi-departure|archive-date=14 July 2012}} He wrote an open letter to the Reds fans before his departure, thanking them for their support in his two-and-a-half-year stint.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/maxi-an-open-letter-to-fans|title=Maxi: An open letter to fans|publisher=Liverpool F.C.|date=13 July 2012|access-date=13 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715175942/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/maxi-an-open-letter-to-fans|archive-date=15 July 2012}}

Rodríguez played his first match for the club since leaving on 5 August 2012, in a 0–0 draw against Club Atlético Independiente. According to him, football in his country was now "worse than ten years ago".{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2012/08/18/3315859/maxi-rodriguez-football-in-argentina-is-worse-now-than-a|title=Maxi Rodriguez: Football in Argentina is worse now than a decade ago|publisher=Goal|last=Mott|first=Alex|date=18 August 2012|access-date=24 August 2012}} In June 2013, he helped the team win the Torneo Final, being awarded the Alumni by directors and former directors of Argentinian football late in the year.{{cite news|url=http://www.lacapital.com.ar/ovacion/Maxi-Rodriguez-recibio-el-premio-Alumni-al-mejor-jugador-20131127-0040.html|title=Maxi Rodríguez recibió el premio Alumni al mejor jugador|trans-title=Maxi Rodríguez received the Alumni award for the best player|newspaper=La Capital|language=es|date=27 November 2013|access-date=10 July 2014}}

In July 2017, the 36-year-old Rodríguez moved to Uruguayan club Peñarol.{{cite web|url=http://www.xn--pearol-xwa.org/uc_5206_1.html|title=Maxi Rodríguez fue presentado oficialmente como jugador de Peñarol|trans-title=Maxi Rodríguez was officially presented as a Peñarol player|publisher=C.A. Peñarol|language=es|date=27 July 2017|access-date=4 August 2017}} After winning the league in both of his seasons in Montevideo, he returned to Newell's on an 18-month contract in the last days of 2018.{{cite web|url=https://tn.com.ar/deportes/esencial/maxi-rodriguez-un-paso-de-volver-newells_927423|title=Maxi Rodríguez regresa a Newell's: "Siempre se vuelve al primer amor"|trans-title=Maxi Rodríguez returns to Newell's: "You always go back to your first love"|publisher=Todo Noticias|language=es|date=27 December 2018|access-date=1 January 2020}}

On 27 November 2021, Rodríguez confirmed his retirement at the age of 40, having been substituted to a standing ovation at home to Club Atlético Banfield in his final match.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59564218|title=Ex-Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez retires at 40|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 December 2021|access-date=7 December 2021}} The following January, however, he joined Hughes Foot Ball Club in the Liga Venadense de Fútbol (a regional football league in Santa Fe Province) along with his childhood friend and Newell's teammate Ignacio Scocco, president of said club.{{cite news|url=https://www.ole.com.ar/futbol-primera/maxi-rodriguez-scocco-hughes_0_UzJlejnGR.html|title=Maxi Rodríguez e Ignacio Scocco ya se pusieron la de Hughes|trans-title=Maxi Rodríguez and Ignacio Scocco have already donned Hughes shirt|newspaper=Olé|language=es|date=13 January 2022|access-date=29 March 2022}}

Rodríguez was given a farewell match at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa on 24 June 2023, which pitted historic players of Newell's Old Boys against their counterparts of the Argentina national team, such as captain Lionel Messi who was celebrating his 36th birthday. He scored for both sides as the latter won 7–5, and both his daughters, Alma and Aitana, did the same once each in the second half.{{cite web|url=https://www.besoccer.com/new/star-guest-messi-scores-first-half-hat-trick-as-newells-bid-farewell-to-maxi-rodriguez-1264082|title=Star guest Messi scores first half hat trick as Newells bid farewell to Maxi Rodriguez|publisher=Be Soccer|date=24 June 2023|access-date=26 June 2023}}

Rodríguez won the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship with the Argentine under-20s on home soil, scoring four goals in seven matches including the first and last for the eventual winners.{{FIFA player|184291}} He made his full side debut in a friendly against Japan on 8 June 2003, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute for Santiago Solari and scoring to conclude a 4–1 win in Osaka.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kirin03.html|title=Kirin Cup 2003|publisher=RSSSF|last=Saaid|first=Hamdan|date=10 July 2004|access-date=25 May 2010}}

After being part of the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup squad, Rodríguez was called for the 2006 FIFA World Cup by national boss José Pékerman and, on 16 June, he scored twice in Argentina's 6–0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro in the group stage.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853028.stm|title=Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 June 2006|access-date=17 February 2015}} In the round of 16, he scored the winning goal against Mexico in a 2–1 extra time victory: he controlled a cross-field pass from Juan Pablo Sorín with his chest before volleying it into the top corner of Oswaldo Sánchez's net from outside the penalty area with his left foot, in the 98th minute;{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991492.stm|title=Argentina 2–1 Mexico (aet)|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 June 2006|access-date=10 July 2006}} in an unofficial online poll by FIFA, it was voted the best goal of the tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/media/newsid=20656.html|title=FIFAworldcup.com sets new standards in online coverage of football|publisher=FIFA|date=13 June 2006|access-date=18 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307145740/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/media/newsid=20656.html|archive-date=7 March 2012}}

File:Messi Khedira MaxiR 2010.jpg at the 2010 World Cup]]

After Argentina lost the quarter-final game against Germany on 30 June 2006, Rodríguez punched opponent Bastian Schweinsteiger in the back. FIFA fined him CHF5,000 and suspended him from two matches in the 2007 Copa América for violent conduct.{{cite web|url=http://sport.monstersandcritics.com/worldcup2006/news/article_1179121.php/Rooney_Cufre_and_Rodriquez_handed_bans_by_FIFA|title=Rooney, Cufre and Rodriquez handed bans by FIFA|publisher=Monsters and Critics|date=8 July 2006|access-date=10 July 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129010342/http://sport.monstersandcritics.com/worldcup2006/news/article_1179121.php/Rooney_Cufre_and_Rodriquez_handed_bans_by_FIFA|archive-date=29 January 2013}} However, after a serious knee injury in a friendly with Spain in October 2006, he missed the continental competition as national team manager Alfio Basile, whom initially intended to select the player, eventually rested him for precaution.{{cite web|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/news/story?id=568707&s=gen&type=story|title=No lo tendrá en cuenta|trans-title=Will not be considered|publisher=ESPN Deportes|language=es|date=14 June 2007|access-date=28 August 2009}}

Rodríguez scored in Diego Maradona's first game in charge of Argentina, a 1–0 friendly win in Scotland.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/01d3-0f86040f157b-fd7dcb31bf62-1000--maxi-winner-gets-maradona-off-the-mark/|title=Maxi winner gets Maradona off the mark|publisher=UEFA|date=19 November 2008|access-date=26 February 2020}} On 19 May 2010 he was named in the squad of 23 for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8676659.stm|title=Coloccini fails to make cut for Argentina party|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 May 2010|access-date=27 May 2010}} and, in the last home game before the finals five days later, scored twice against Canada, netting from a free kick from a sharp angle and after receiving a pass from Carlos Tevez in an eventual 5–0 rout.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=289193&cc=5739|title=Maradona's men run riot|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=24 May 2010|access-date=27 May 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526201825/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=289193&cc=5739|archive-date=26 May 2010}}

In June 2014, Rodríguez made Argentina's list for the 2014 World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=demichelis-in-argentina-squad-as-trio-miss-out-2353431.html|title=Demichelis in Argentina squad as trio miss out|publisher=FIFA|date=2 June 2014|access-date=21 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701121936/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y%3D2014/m%3D6/news%3Ddemichelis-in-argentina-squad-as-trio-miss-out-2353431.html|archive-date=1 July 2014}} He started in his side's opening game, a 2–1 defeat of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Estádio do Maracanã, playing the first half before being substituted for Gonzalo Higuaín at half-time.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=bosnia-beaten-by-messi-marvel-2372909.html|title=Bosnia beaten by Messi marvel|publisher=FIFA|date=16 June 2014|access-date=10 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617070455/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=bosnia-beaten-by-messi-marvel-2372909.html|archive-date=17 June 2014}} He was only fielded again in the semi-finals against the Netherlands, converting the decisive penalty shootout attempt (0–0 after 120 minutes) to send his country to the final for the first time in 24 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255955/match=300186490/match-report.html|title=Romero the shoot-out hero as Argentina reach final|publisher=FIFA|date=9 July 2014|access-date=10 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709231842/http://www.fifa.com//worldcup/matches/round=255955/match=300186490/match-report.html|archive-date=9 July 2014}}

Rodríguez was raised by his mother Claudia in his grandparents' home and never met his father.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/2006/06/30/262919-la-conmovedora-historia-maxi-rodriguez-el-heroe-la-seleccion/|title=La conmovedora historia de Maxi Rodríguez, el héroe de la Selección|trans-title=The moving story of Maxi Rodríguez, the National Team's hero|newspaper=Infobae|language=es|date=30 June 2006|access-date=2 July 2023}} He is the cousin of fellow footballers Alexis Rodríguez and Denis Rodríguez, and all three played for Newell's at the same time.{{cite news|url=https://www.lacapital.com.ar/ovacion/el-golazo-del-otro-primo-maxi-rodriguez-el-triunfo-la-reserva-leprosa-n1480724.html|title=El golazo del "otro" primo de Maxi Rodríguez para el triunfo de la reserva leprosa|trans-title=The wonder goal of Maxi Rodríguez's "other" cousin for win of the leper reserves|newspaper=La Capital|language=es|date=2 October 2017|access-date=16 March 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ole.com.ar/newells-old-boys/primo-maxi-rodriguez_0_1880212079.html|title=Qué primo, Maxi!|trans-title=What a cousin, Maxi!|newspaper=Olé|language=es|date=2 October 2017|access-date=16 March 2018}}

In 2009, Rodríguez appeared in a music video for Coti, starring alongside Atlético teammate Diego Forlán.{{cite web|url=http://www.clubatleticodemadrid.com/es/atleticoaldia/noticias.asp?id=23590|title=Maxi Rodríguez y Diego Forlán, invitados de lujo en el nuevo videoclip de Coti|trans-title=Maxi Rodríguez and Diego Forlán, stellar guests in Coti's new video|publisher=Atlético Madrid|language=es|date=17 March 2009|access-date=28 August 2009}}

{{notelist}}

Appearances and goals by years:{{NFT player|pid=8346}}

:Argentina score listed first, score column indicates score after each Rodríguez goal. Sign ‡ indicates goals scored from a penalty kick.

Liverpool

• Football League Cup: 2011–12
• FA Cup runner-up: 2011–12{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/17878435|title=Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|last=McNulty|first=Phil|date=5 May 2012|access-date=25 July 2022}}

Newell's Old Boys

• Argentine Primera División: 2013 Final

Peñarol

• Uruguayan Primera División: 2017, 2018
• Supercopa Uruguaya: 2018

Argentina U20

• FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2001

Argentina

• FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2014
• FIFA Confederations Cup runner-up: 2005

Individual

• Copa del Rey top scorer: 2009–10{{cite web|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/esp-copa-del-rey-2009-2010/|title=Copa del Rey 2009/2010: Top Scorer|publisher=World Football|access-date=3 April 2020}}
• Footballer of the Year of Argentina: 2013{{cite news|url=http://www.ole.com.ar/fuera-de-juego/Maidana-oro_0_1049895010.html|title=Maidana es de oro|trans-title=Maidana is golden|newspaper=Olé|language=es|date=18 December 2013|access-date=3 April 2020}}
• Argentine Primera División top scorer: 2014

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{BDFA|id=406}}
• {{BDFutbol|1960}}
• [http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=1213 Liverpool historic profile]
• {{Soccerbase}}

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Category:1981 births

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