#3 Clemente Rodríguez Country: Argentina Height: 1.67 m5-6 Birthdate: 31/07/1981 Position: Defender Weight: 65 kg143 lbs Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina Team: Estudiantes LP League: Argentina A

Bio

One of coach Diego Maradona's surprise inclusions on Argentina's roster for the World Cup, Rodriguez is a solid player capable of playing either right or left back. He's known for his ability to get forward, but is considered something of a liability defensively. His limited experience with La Albiceleste combined with his defensive shortcomings only add to the controversy as Maradona is expected to employ an attacking lineup. Rodriguez, though, helped Argentina win the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, and was a part of the Boca Juniors sides that won two Intercontinental Cups in 2000 and '03. His five-year stint with Boca earned him a move to Spartak Moscow of the Russian Premier League in 2004. After three seasons in Russia, he was loaned back to Boca before a spell at Espanyol of Spain's La Liga. A return to Russia in 2008 saw him used on a limited basis and he joined Estudiantes in Argentina this season in an effort to revive what appeared to be a stalling career. The move has paid off, and Rodriguez will get to make his first World Cup appearance after not appearing in any qualifiers.

Player Stats