Less than a week after lifting the World Cup trophy with his teammates, Tenerife's world champion footballer Pedro Rodrίguez arrived at the Cabildo to a hero's welcome.
The 22 year old Barcelona forward greeted the waiting press and fans with a beaming smile as he landed on his home turf.
Cabildo president Ricardo Melchior, councillor for sports Dámaso Artega and Arico mayor Eladio Morales all gave a short speech in honour of the sportsman. Artego said that the footballer had shown everyone that the "dream can become a reality" and that "children dream of being film stars, super comic heroes, but lots want to become sporting stars." He suggested that Pedro has shown that anything is possible.
Melchior spoke of Rogrίguez as not just a great footballer but a great person, humble and a great friend to the island "who has never forgotten where he came from." Melchior said that he spoke on behalf of everyone on the island when he said, "We are very proud of you and profoundly grateful for all you have done."
An emotional Eladoi Morales went on to speak of Pedro and his upbringing in Arico. He talked of his pride in watching Rodriguez grow from a young kid kicking a ball around locally to becoming the star he is today. Morales said, even back then, he was always a player to watch.
When the soccer star himself stepped up to the microphone he seemed to struggle to find words to express how he felt but composed himself enough to thank all those who had helped him in his career. He said that the Canaries were his land, his home and that "I am proud to be a Tinerfeño, a Canarian, and I will always represent this island to the best of my ability."
