Rodrigo Palacio

Rodrigo Sebastián Palacio (born 5 February 1982 in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province) is an Argentina footballer currently playing for Genoa C.F.C. Rodrigo Palacio plays as a second striker and winger. One of Rodrigo Palacio greatest skills is Rodrigo Palacio speed, which Rodrigo Palacio utilises very effectively down the flanks. Rodrigo Palacio is son of Jose Ramon Palacio, a historic player of Olimpo de Bahia Blanca in the 80's.

Biography

Early career

While a boy, Palacio started playing in local Bella Vista and then moved to Huracán de Tres Arroyos in 2002, but Rodrigo Palacio would debut professionally shortly thereafter with Club Atlético Banfield (by that time in first division) in mid 2003.

Boca Juniors

Palacio soon transferred to Argentine giant Boca Juniors in 2005. With Boca Juniors, Rodrigo Palacio has won the Recopa Sudamericana in Recopa Sudamericana 2005 , Recopa Sudamericana 2006 and Recopa Sudamericana 2008, the Copa Sudamericana 2005 Copa Sudamericana, 2005-2006 in Argentine football Torneo Apertura ("Opening" Tournament) and 2005-2006 in Argentine football Torneo Clausura ("Closing" Tournament) Primera División Argentina, plus Rodrigo Palacio helped Boca Juniors win its sixth Copa Libertadores in Copa Libertadores 2007.

Rodrigo's perfmances in the 2008 Copa Libertadores helped Boca Juniors from being knocked out in the group stage, scoring against Mexico's F.C Atlas and Chile's Colo-Colo, and eventually reached the semi-finals where they would lose to Brazil's Fluminense. Rodrigo would then go on to win the Recopa Sudamericana and 2008 Torneo Apertura with Boca Juniors.

Genoa

On 17 July 2009 signed a four-year contract with Genoa C.F.C and replaces Diego Milito.

International career

Rodrigo's performances for Boca got the attention of Argentina national football team coach José Pekerman and was called up for the March 2005 friendly match against Mexico national football team.

On 15 May 2006 Rodrigo Palacio was named as a definite squad member for the 2006 FIFA World Cup by coach José Pekerman and on 10 June 2006 Rodrigo Palacio came on as a substitute in Argentina national football team's 2-1 win against the Ivory Coast national football team for Rodrigo Palacio first ever appearance in a FIFA World Cup. Rodrigo Palacio contunued outstanding performances at Boca helped Rodrigo Palacio earned a spot in the Argentine squad for the Copa America 2007.

On 15 June 2008 Palacio scored Rodrigo Palacio first goal wearing the Argentine colours in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ecuador, equalising in the last seconds of added time to earn a 1-1 draw.

Titles