Francisco Javier Rodríguez Pinedo (; born 20 October 1981), commonly known by the nickname Maza is a Mexican former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.

Club career

Guadalajara Rodríguez was born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, which is the origin of his nickname "Maza" (short for Mazatlán). He began his professional career with Guadalajara under Dutch manager Hans Westerhof,E spraken Maza Rodríguez over narco traffico, PSV en Chucky Lozano vice.com debuting for the club in the Apertura 2002 tournament.

In the Apertura 2006, Rodríguez had a pivotal role in Guadalajara's championship run, winning the final second-leg match 2–1 (3–2 on aggregate) against Toluca on 10 December. The win gave Chivas their eleventh league championship, a record which stood until América matched it in 2013.

PSV Eindhoven

On 9 May 2008, it was announced that he was transferred for US$1.8 million to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, the second Mexican in the latter squad with Carlos Salcido. Rodríguez was predominantly during that debut season mostly on the bench, and proved an alternate centre backs for Dirk Marcellis. He scored his first goal with the Dutch giants on 25 November 2008 with a 30-yard shot against Heracles Almelo.

Prior to the start of the 2009–10 season, Rodríguez was given the number four jersey, previously worn by Manuel da Costa, who had transferred to Fiorentina in January 2008. He won a starting spot in the center of defence for both the Eredevisie and the Europa League.

VfB Stuttgart On 14 July 2011, Rodríguez signed a three-year contract with VfB Stuttgart for an undisclosed fee. Rodríguez made his Bundesliga debut on 6 August 2011 in a 3–0 win against Schalke 04. He registered an assist in the 37th minute to Cacau, which gave Stuttgart a 2–0 lead in their 3–0 victory.

América On 2 January 2013, Rodríguez was transferred to América. When América defeated Cruz Azul in the Clausura 2013 final, he became the first player in history to win a league championship with both América and Chivas, archrivals in Mexico's biggest rivalry, El Súper Clásico. He had previously won the league title with Chivas in the Apertura 2006.

Cruz Azul On 4 June 2014, Rodríguez was transferred to Cruz Azul.

Lobos BUAP After six seasons with Cruz Azul, Rodríguez was transferred to newly promoted Lobos BUAP for the Apertura 2017.

International career Youth Rodríguez was part of the Mexico 2004 Olympic under-23 team. They were eliminated in the group stage, having finished third in Group A, below group winners Mali and South Korea.

Senior Rodríguez made his debut with the senior national team on 18 February 2004 in a friendly against Chile in Carson, California. He scored his first goal for Mexico on 8 July 2005 in a 1–2 CONCACAF Gold Cup loss against South Africa.

On 2 April 2006, he was called up by coach Ricardo La Volpe for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Rodríguez played in the match against Portugal.

Rodríguez was a part of the Mexico squad in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was a starter in all of Mexico's group matches, and played the Round of 16 match against Argentina.

During the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Rodríguez, and four other members of the Mexico national team, tested positive for the banned substance of Clenbuterol and were withdrawn from the tournament squad. However, all players were exonerated as FIFA determined that the accused had ingested the banned substance via contaminated meat that had been served during a pre-tournament training camp. However, World Anti-Doping Agency appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to request a ban. But on 12 October 2011, WADA withdrew this request after the full file was made available to them.

Rodríguez also participated at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he became a key part of Mexico's central defense line, along with Rafael Márquez and Hector Moreno.

Career statistics

Club Updated 26 May 2013

Club performance League Cup Continental Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Mexico League Cup North America Total 2002–03GuadalajaraPrimera División20––202003–04320––3202004–05300––3002005–06260–703302006–07444––4442007–083712161452 Netherlands League KNVB Cup Europe Total2008–09PSVEredivisie91––301212009–1029120703812010–112225060312 Germany League DFB-Pokal Europe Total2011–12VfB StuttgartBundesliga26230––2922012–131402050210 Mexico League Cup North America Total 2012–13AméricaLiga MX22020––240 Total Mexico1915411312087 Netherlands60470160814 Germany4025050502 Career total2911114134133913

International National team Year Apps GoalsMexico 2004 100 2005 161 2006 70 2007 80 2008 00 2009 20 2010 130 2011 902012 1002013 1302014 1202015 80 Total 108 1

International goals Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 7 July 2005 The Home Depot Center, Carson, California, United States 1–2 1–2 2005 CONCACAF Gold CupFrancisco Javier Rodríguez – Century of International Appearances

Honours Guadalajara Primera División: Apertura 2006

PSV Johan Cruyff Shield: 2008

América Liga MX: Clausura 2013

Mexico U23 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship: 2004

Mexico CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2015

Individual CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship Best XI: 2004

See also List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps

References

External links