When you think of patient footballers, Salomon Rondon undoubtedly comes to mind. Often labelled a late bloomer, Rondon embodies humility and resilience, willingly accepting the role of a second or third-choice forward at any club without displaying frustration on or off the pitch. Yes, everyone knows he is someone who is able to accept or tolerate career delays, making him one of the most patient strikers the world has ever seen. Despite this, he, since his childhood years, has continued to shine brightly for his country, even at the age of 35.
The Humble Gladiator: Salomon Rondon’s Childhood Story and Path to Success
Hailing from Caracas, Venezuela, Rondon is a testament to the talent that can emerge from humble beginnings, and his parents, Maitana Giménez and José Rafael Rondón, a chemistry teacher, played a crucial role in shaping him into the man he is today. With a self-acclaimed nickname of “Gladiator,” Rondon’s journey is one of determination and perseverance. This article delves into his inspiring story, highlighting the challenges he faced and the values instilled in him by his family. Join us as we explore the remarkable life of Salomon Rondon, a player whose journey from Caracas to international stardom is both uplifting and inspiring.
Salomon Rondon Childhood Story – Early Life & Family Background:
For Biography starters, his full names are José Salomón Rondón Giménez.
The Venezuelan footballer was born on the 16th day of September 1989 to his mother, Maitana Giménez (a housekeeper) and father, José Rafael Rondón (a chemistry teacher) in the populous sector of Catia, in Caracas, Venezuela.
Now, let’s introduce you to Salomon Rondon’s lovely parents.
Salomon Rondon’s Parents- MOTHER- Maitana Giménez and FATHER-José Rafael Rondón.
Rondon’s birth was predestined according to his father, who once gave an account of his son’s pre-birth story.
“My wife, when she was pregnant, had a very big belly. Also, at that time, my sister-in-law was an admirer of Diego Maradona because of the 1986 World Cup.
It turns out that every time we saw a game where Maradona played, baby Solomon would kick more in the womb of his mother.
Because of that, my sister said my unborn son was going to be a soccer player, and she was right. José Rafael Rondón recalled.
Rondon was eventually born as the second son to his parents in his middle-class family household.
He grew up with his brothers, Gerardo, who is three years his senior, and his kid brother Onlymai, who is three years his junior.
Salomon Rondon Biography – Early Career:
Rondon began living his destiny early on by walking, kicking, and sleeping with a ball every night. It was his participation in football that steered him away from the poor choices he could have made as a child.
“Since I was born, I always walked with a ball and kicked everything. At four years old, I started playing at my school.”
At the tender age of 4, Rondon had accepted his idols to be Rivaldo and Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima.
The decision to play football in school came one day when Rondon’s teacher sought the recommendation of his mother, Maitana, to permit her son to play soccer on the school’s dirty courts.
She accepted, and Rondon began playing football in school during the day. His first sporting success came during his school’s competitive games, where he won his first trophy.
Rondon’s football journey began when his mother, Maitana, allowed him to play on the school’s dirt courts. This led to his first taste of victory, winning a trophy during school competitions.
Even after returning from school, football was still a necessity. This made him enrol at his local youth club, San José de Calasanz, which gave him the opportunity to play football in the evenings.
Rondon used soccer as a complementary activity to his studies, which always went down under the supervision of his parents. They formed the habit of keeping photo albums of their son’s early football memories.
In Salomon Rondon’s family home, his football history remains intact.
Salomon Rondon Bio – The Quest for Fame:
Rondon’s passion for soccer was also felt, sometimes negatively, in his family home. This was a time when Rondon and his brother Gerardo got fond of breaking their home’s window, chandeliers, and vases.
Salomon Rondon broke his home windows with his soccer ball as a Kid.
Receiving severe scolding from his parents led to his mum telling Rondon he would have to pay for the glasses when he started receiving money as a professional footballer.
Making the Big Decision:
Rondon made the biggest decision when he was in his second year at Calasanz High School. He confronted his dad Rafael with having what he considered a very serious conversation with the chemistry teacher.
“He told me he was going to leave school to play soccer,” his father recalled.
Salomon Rondon finally made the irrevocable decision to abandon his college education and commit himself totally to soccer.
Such a decision was followed by his enrollment into the roster of the local club Deportivo Gulima after a successful trial.
Salomon Rondon Deportivo Gulima ID Card.
Salomon Rondon Biography – Rise to Fame:
While at Deportivo Gulima, Salomon Rondon had his eyes on Europe. To pursue that, he decided to continue his footballing maturation process in Aragua, a Columbian club with a reputation for projecting players to Europe.
Rondon made an immediate impact in Aragua, becoming the major subject of the club’s media.
Young Rondon showed lots of promise at this stage of his career.
Continuous success got him promoted into the club’s senior team barely a year after joining their youth ranks.
Rondon, at the age of 17, made his debut in the Venezuelan Primera División. It took no time before he got labelled as the best attacker in his country.
Salomon Rondon’s Success Story with Aragua.
Achieving the European Dream:
In that year 2008, Rondon’s dream to play in Europe became a reality after he was snapped up by UD Las Palmas in Spain. Speaking about that emotional moment of leaving home, Rondon once said…
“Leaving my family for Europe was the hardest thing. My mum’s final words to me was ‘Go!’ My mum was crying when she said that.
I cried, too. Then, I was just 19 and knew nothing.
The worst was that I didn’t know how to cook… I was always on Skype saying, ‘Mum, how can I cook the pasta?!’ My grandma was like, ‘Put the water in the pan and…!'”
In Europe, Rondon progressed and found himself playing for Malaga. He didn’t take long to make an impression with the club.
Did you know?… While at Malaga, an emerging and ageing Rondon displaced goal-scoring machine Ruud van Nistelrooy, who worked with Erik ten Hag at United, frustrated him and later forced him into retirement.
Salomon Rondon continued to be a hero after sacking an ageing Ruud van Nistelrooy. Thanks to his form, He surpassed the record of La Liga goals scored by former Venezuelan footballer Juan Arango. The “Savior of Malaga,” as he was called, saw himself helping the Spanish club escape relegation.
Rondon, just like Cameroonian Legend Vincent Aboubakar, etc. are among the most underrated strikers in South American soccer. The rest, as they say, is history.
Salomon Rondon Relationship Life:
The romance of Salomon Rondon is one that escapes the scrutiny of the public eye simply because his love life is drama-free. Behind the successful Venezuelans are a glamorous wife and beautiful kids.
Salomon Rondon’s Wife and Children.
Salomon Rondon, at the time of writing his biography, lived in Newcastle, which he believed was a “great city” for his family.
“My wife, my two kids, my mother-in-law, the grandma of my wife, I have my family around me,” said Rondón,
Personal Life Outside Football:
Getting to know Salomon Rondon’s personal life would help you get a complete picture of him. Starting off, he, like Anthony Contreras is someone with a methodical approach to life, which ensures that he places the decision to seek happiness above all things.
Away from scoring goals on the pitch, Salomon Rondon spends valuable time performing boxing workouts, which he believes increase his upper-body strength. Below is a video of such workouts.
The Venezuelan who excels at sparking fury believes in boxing as a sport for self-defence. He is able to put boxing to good use by teaching his kid how to defend himself and never using the sport as a means of looking for problems.
Away from St James’ Park, playing with his children and boxing, Rondon derives joy in walking with his dog.
Salomon Rondon Family Life:
Being his country’s most famous footballer and sole Premier League representative surely makes Salomon Rondon’s family and the whole of his country’s people proud of him.
Salomon Rondon’s parents and brothers remain in Caracas, Venezuela which at the time of writing. This is a country that is politically unstable due to its long-running economic and political crisis.
With inflation going out of control, violent crime is rife, and the murder rate is terrifying in Venezuela. Speaking about the risks of kidnappers, Rondon once said,
“Very few people know who my family is. Again, I try as much as possible that I do not see them with me – not at all in Venezuela.
If I am with them, it is always at the family home. We never go out together so as not to draw attention. I try not to draw any attention to myself at all when I am there.”
Despite the security concerns, Rondon is not shy about taking photos with his parents, especially his lovely dad, who, from being a chemistry teacher, later became a chemistry professor in one of Venezuela’s military schools.
Back in the day photo of young Salomon Rondon is relaxing with his father.
Untold Facts:
About his Gladiator Nickname:
According to the Mirror, Salomon Rondon once revealed he enjoys being called by his nickname… “The Beast.” during his time at Malaga.
Upon joining Newcastle, fans started calling him “Gladiator,” which is a nickname he prefers the most.
“I like the nickname ‘Gladiator’. This is what I try to be on the pitch. I open my arms, look big, get my body in the way and try to control the ball for my team.”
After uploading a Gladiator Skills video, Rondon decided to make his fans compete for a prize by requesting they send videos of their best flicks and tricks with any object that’s not a using the hashtag #GladiatorSkillz #Gladiador #Gladiator. Below is Salomon Rondon’s Gladiator Video.
Fact Check:
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