The career of Rodrigo Palacio

The twelfth Argentine player in our history, he’s a versatile forward capable of playing across the front line. Rodrigo is a very experienced player who has made over 500 appearances and he’s scored over 200 professional goals. He’s one of three current Serie A players to have played in the most recent World Cup final along with Biglia and Higuain. Palacio was an important figure at the tournament for the Albiceleste throughout as Sabella turned to him regularly from the bench, including in the final which Germany eventually won in extra-time.

Capable of playing at centre-forward, on the wing or as a second striker, his tactical intelligence cannot be doubted. After three years at Genoa and five at Inter where he was often a key player, he’s able to move seamlessly into different roles and use both feet. He started off as a star for Boca Juniors where he won three titles, the Copa Libertadores and one Copa Sudamericana. He moved to the Marassi in 2009 with Gasperini’s Genoa side after being in the international set-up for years. His impact on European football was immediate. Together with Crespo, Floccari and a very young Destro, Genoa remained stable in mid-table for two seasons. His 21 goals in the 2011-12 season played a vital role in keeping Genoa in the top flight. His contribution at Inter was no less, while propelling Argentina to World Cup qualifying with excellent displays in South American qualifying, he was top scorer at Inter with 22 goals in his first season. Later, he netted 19 in his second and twelve in the third.

At the Stadio Meazza, he became one of the club’s most popular players with a number of personal achievements including two goals against Juventus, a decisive winner in the derby against AC Milan, and braces in the Europa League in Belgrade and Glasgow. He was a vital figure at a time when Inter struggled to find an identity as a team as he specialised in last-minute goals with a tally of thirteen late strikes. In later seasons, he became an assist man as he played alongside Icardi and took on a deeper role. In August 2017, he joined the Rossoblu on a permanent deal with 58 goals from 169 appearances at the Milan club.