Everton striker Salomon Rondon pays tribute to his late father after scoring for Venezuela

Salomon Rondon pays tribute to his late father following his recent death after scoring for Venezuela against the UAE… as the Everton striker reveals his dad is his ‘eternal idol’ and the reason he moved to play in Europe

  • Everton’s Salomon Rondon scored for Venezuela against the UAE on Tuesday
  • He paid tribute to his father, who died last week, after finding the net
  • Venezuela striker Rondon has called his father Jose Rafael his ‘eternal idol’ 
  • He has also revealed that his father gave him his blessing to move to Europe 

Everton striker Salomon Rondon scored in Venezuela’s win over United Arab Emirates on Tuesday then dedicated the goal to his father who passed away last week.

The 33-year old scored Venezuela’s second goal in their 4-0 victory and was emotional as he pointed to the skies before being hugged by teammates.

His father Jose Rafael, affectionately known as Bigoton or ‘Big Moustache’, died last Tuesday while Rondon was with the Venezuela squad preparing for their international with Iceland on Thursday. Despite his upset Rondon decided to stay with the team rather than return home as he felt it was what his father would have wanted.

Salomon Rondon has paid tribute to his father after he passed away last week

Salomon Rondon has paid tribute to his father after he passed away last week

Salomon Rondon made the tribute after scoring for Venezuela on Tuesday against the UAE

Salomon Rondon made the tribute after scoring for Venezuela on Tuesday against the UAE

Rondon took to social media to post a touching message in tribute to his father saying: ‘Bigotón, it is thanks to you I played in Europe. I remember when I didn’t want to leave home because I was going alone and was scared at just 17, but you said to me: “You go ahead and we’ll join you later.” My mum told you: “Rafa, if he doesn’t want to go, he doesn’t have to.” And you replied: “Maita, Salomón is going and that’s that.”

‘I recall a deafening silence in the car on the way to the airport, but you broke it as you started crying because I was leaving. You were the chemistry teacher who was carrying out an experiment on me. You didn’t get it wrong.

‘You’ll always be my eternal idol, dad. I could write a thousand other things, but I’ll keep them to myself.’

Rondon is hopeful of making Frank Lampard's squad for Saturday's game at Southampton

Rondon is hopeful of making Frank Lampard’s squad for Saturday’s game at Southampton

Rondon, who has scored five of Venezuela’s last ten goals, will return to Everton’s Finch Farm training ground on Wednesday and hopes to be part of Frank Lampard’s squad to face Southampton on Saturday.

Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is continuing his recovery from injury after picking up a groin strain last week.

Meanwhile, Everton have confirmed the sale of midfielder Allan to Al Wahda in United Arab Emirates for an undisclosed fee.

Allan has left Everton after just over two years at the club to join Al Wahda in the UAE

Allan has left Everton after just over two years at the club to join Al Wahda in the UAE

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