The story of Salomón Rondón, the Venezuelan globetrotter from River, and his problems upon arriving in Argentina

Solomon Rondon He is a forward of the hierarchy. His career backs him up for that statement. And the two goals scored against Huracán could become the beginning of a great story with the River shirt. A story that, like all, was born from an adaptation. The thing is The Venezuelan has to get used not only to the world of River Plate but also to his new life in Argentinastarted with some obstacles, such as the delay of the new DNI.

“Salomón (Rondón) is only now preparing for many things, both cultural and private. It was even difficult for him to get the IDfind a house, a car, a school for their children, among other things,” said Martín Demichelis after the match in which his team beat Huracán nel Ducó for the Professional League.

Rondón is a globetrotter. He left Venezuela as a teenager. And even though he’s used to changing countries and cultures from time to time, settling in a new place takes time to adjust, beyond the footballing issues. It is that immigration implies for individuals a series of cognitive, motivational and affective processes that influence their adaptation to the new society. And much more when a family is moving. In Rondón’s case, he arrived accompanied by his wife and three children.

“I respect criticism but you have to be careful with the players in the hierarchy, because you can’t buy or win overnight. Solomon left South America young to make a career in Europe. You have to be patient. He left at 17,” Demichelis said about the patience one has to have with this type of player.

And I add: “This week it was impressive what was trained. For me I had to play. I would have liked Miguel (Borja) to play too, I thought so, and for Lucas to enter the last 30 minutes with his intensity. But well, I’ve decided on Salomón and Lucas and I’m very happy for them. He, Lucas and Miguel can give us a lot.”

Rondón’s trajectory includes 6 countries and many moves. He has played in Venezuela, Spain, Russia, China, England and now Argentina. At the age of just 16 he took his first steps at the Aragua Fútbol Club and at 18 he wore his national team shirt for the first time, with which he made his debut in a friendly match against Haiti.

In 2008 the time comes for his first move abroad. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean to reach Las Palmas in Spain and after two years on the island he moved to another Spanish city, where he met Demichelis. Both shared Malaga, with whom they qualified for the Champions League. And a great relationship was born between them. But in August 2012 another big change came for Rondón, which took a different path: went to play in Russia, where he signed for Rubin Kazan. And after a year and a half He went to Zenit St. Petersburg, for 18 million euros, a record for a Venezuelan. But he wasn’t there for long, as in August 2015 Rondón was signed by West Bromwich Albion of England for €17 million. And from there he jumped to Newcastle.

The last four years, pandemic included, have been hectic for Rondón. Is that she has lived in four different countries after going through four clubs. From England he went to China to join Dailan Pro (2019-2020). From there he returned to Russia to play for CSKA Moscow (2020-2021); then he returned to England to wear the Everton shirt, where he remained until last year. Now with the pass in his possession, after canceling it, he received a call from Demichelis to come to River and live in Argentina, like many other Venezuelans who arrived in the country, in other circumstances, obviously.

Even so, no matter how much experience you have getting from place to place, adjusting to a country’s new cultures isn’t easy. Rondón’s experience upon his arrival in Argentina clarifies this. In any case, at the age of 33 and almost 3 months after his arrival, he is gradually getting used to the countryside and the river. The goals that have already arrived are a symptom of this.