Dreams that cross borders: Pedro Rodríguez and the Bonaire National Team

Persistence is the force that drives us to give our all to achieve our goals. Football has thousands of stories, from players to coaches and ordinary fans who have achieved their dream of making a living. Today we're going to talk about Pedro Rodríguez, a Murcian living in Bonaire and assistant coach of the island's national team.

Pedro doesn't come from a soccer-loving family; no one in his family was a fan, so he didn't grow up with those values. As a child, he didn't like soccer; he didn't know much about the sport.

“If you asked me to name three teams, I would say Real Madrid, Barcelona, and the third one was hard for me” (laughing)

At school, he collected football cards, and that's when he gradually began to get involved in sports. At the age of 9, Real Murcia (his hometown team) had achieved promotion to the First Division, and although Pedro wasn't very involved, he was aware of this. From that moment on, he became a little more interested in football.

He talked a lot about football with his friends; with one of them, he had the opportunity to go to the Real Murcia stadium for the first time, as he was the son of the team's goalkeeping coach.

“One day I went with him to spend a Sunday and that afternoon they were playing, there he told me to come with us to watch it and I went to see it… the plan wasn’t to go to the game, it was more of a coincidence… at that time I didn’t give much importance to going to the game, but of course now with the passing of the years I do because that was the first football game I went to as a fan.”

Pedro didn't frequent stadiums until he entered sports journalism at the age of 16. He also had the opportunity to play soccer, eventually playing in the Murcia 2nd Regional League with Roldan in 2021.

"It was more of a trial than anything, because I like the experience of making my senior football debut, even if it's in Spain's seventh division."

At 15, Pedro was on the threshold of high school; he didn't know what he wanted to study.

"Thanks to football, I said, look, I want to make a living from football. I know that as a player, I'm not going to make it" (laughing).

Pedro considered options within the world of football. He always enjoyed research and geography, and was passionate about the stories of lesser-known countries and football. He ultimately decided to study sports journalism, with the goal of working in a club's communications department.

Shortly after, he created a website to follow the four Murcia teams that would compete in the Second Division B (now the 1st RFEF) in the 2014-15 season. These included Real Murcia, UCAM, Cartagena, and Hoya Lorca. (Disappeared in 2022) Rodríguez decided to create this website, called the Second Division B Murcia, because there was no specialized media outlet covering these teams.

Every week, they followed the teams and wrote reports; they also requested accreditation from the teams to attend the games as press. At 15 years old and without a driver's license, Rodríguez took the bus to these games.

“I was really looking forward to the weekend because I was going to go to the countryside to be there in a press booth, alongside the other media…”

His website helped him build a resume in the world of journalism, and two years later he landed a collaboration with official media outlets. Rodríguez realized that the moment he most enjoyed was the arrival of the Copa del Rey each year.

"In the previous Copa del Rey format, there came a time when the 2nd B teams would face First Division teams. So, in the end, at that point, I started collaborating with all the media outlets, I contacted maybe 20 media outlets, and if at least one outlet accepted my collaboration, they would get me accreditation to go to the match. For example, I went to the Vicente Calderón, which was still there, and I went to an Atlético de Madrid match. I don't remember if it was Cornellá or L'Hospitalet, where Mandzukic was. I was still in high school there."

Pedro remembers looking for highlights of the match with his friends the next day to find himself. Later, he became more professional in his work, attending Champions League and Spanish national team matches.

After several years in elite matches, Pedro realized he didn't like the cold atmosphere, unlike other games he covered as a youth. Pedro had always been a fan of modest and exotic football; little by little, he realized his passion was migrating there, with a special fondness for those unknown teams.

"There are thousands of clubs in the world, millions of them. You can be in a first division club in China, Rwanda, here in Bonaire, Spain, whatever you want. But there are only 218 national teams as such: the 211 that belong to FIFA and the other seven that belong to a confederation."

Instead of watching Spain's big teams, Pedro spent his time saving up to travel to a FIFA match and cover matches. He was first in neighboring countries like Gibraltar, Andorra, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Kosovo, and other European territories.

“I went to Portugal to watch a Portugal vs. Faroe Islands match. I remember Portugal won 4-1 with a hat trick from Cristiano Ronaldo and a bicycle kick, but of course, I was left with the fact that the Faroe Islands scored a goal against Portugal.”

In 2019, Pedro left Europe and was able to cover the Asian Cup, which Qatar won. He was surprised by the ease of being able to interview players, something that would be unthinkable at a European Championship. He had the opportunity to interview Ró-Ró. With each trip, he fell more in love with the game.

That same year, he saw the Dutch team Saint Martin play against French team Saint Martin in the CONCACAF Nations League, an event that was taking place officially for the first time in history. This match was being played in Anguilla, and coincidentally, four other matches were being held from different countries. For Pedro, it was the only time in his life he would travel to the Caribbean.

Before leaving, Pedro contacted each of the national teams to see how he could obtain accreditation. Almost all of them responded, but one stood out: Bonaire. The Federation's vice president asked him about his stay, which was in Saint Martin due to pricing and the ease of catching a ferry to Anguilla. The Bonaire team arrived in Saint Martin two days earlier and would catch a ferry to Anguilla, so they invited Pedro to join them on the ferry.

"I remember being on the boat with them and saying, 'This is Richison Frans and this is Yurick Seinpaal,' and they themselves were crazy to say, 'But you know what he called me? Like a guy, Spain knows me... But they're not aware of it because for you, for me, for the people reading this, the Spanish national team, the German national team, the Tongan national team, and the British Virgin Islands national team are all on the same level. In the end, it's a national team... At that time, they weren't aware of what it was like to be in a national team."

After the ferry, their paths diverged. Two days later, the Bonaire match was coming up, where he served as a photographer. Finally, Pedro became a Spain native. He occasionally spoke with the vice president during the game; he had developed a special affection for them.

For Pedro, life went on. He went to the African Cup of Nations to watch teams like Benin, Burundi, Namibia, and others. He also began working at the regional radio station in the region of Murcia and collaborating with various media outlets. He also earned his coaching certification and had opportunities to work for lower-division teams and as a sporting director for senior teams.

By May 2022, Pedro's life had changed completely. He received a contract from the Bonaire Federation to join the national team's coaching staff for a two-week trial period, from May 31 to June 15, 2022. Bonaire played four Concacaf Nations League matches.

"I told this to people close to me and all that, I said, I've achieved my life's dream. To be at a national team match, on the bench, just like everyone else. I've been here for two years now, but for me, I couldn't describe every single match."

Pedro remembers June 3, 2022, the match between Bonaire and the Turks and Caicos Islands. He was on the bench for the national team for the first time. That match made history, winning 4-1 and achieving the biggest win in the history of the national team. Match highlights are available on the CONCACAF YouTube channel .

The next match was in Curaçao at home against Saint Martin of the Netherlands. Pedro met several players from that team, who were confused to see Pedro wearing a Bonaire shirt. That match ended in a 2-2 draw. This result helped them aspire to promotion to League B and the Gold Cup qualifying round. They won the remaining two matches and remained top of the table, with 10 points with two games left to play.

Upon completion of his trial, Pedro secured a permanent contract and, after completing all the necessary paperwork, was able to move in January 2023. The first objective was clear: in the two remaining Concacaf Nations League matches, a draw would be enough for Bonaire to advance to the League for Gold Cup qualifying.

Unfortunately for Bonaire, they lost their remaining two matches, the last one being at the Bonaire stadium opening against the Turks and Caicos Islands. The team had to face League C again, but with their faith and desire to improve intact.

“That day was the hardest day of my life in terms of sports… the referee blew his whistle and for me it was the hardest moment… I didn't know how far it was over for me; it felt like the end of a cycle.”

Despite a subsequent change of coach, Pedro remained as assistant coach.

“Yes, the Federation changed coach Mauricio Tobón. I will always be eternally grateful because he was the first to trust me. Thanks to him, I came here.”

Rilove Janga, a historic player for the national team, is expected to be named the team's new coach ahead of the next Concacaf Nations League. Pedro gets along well with Janga and is grateful that he has remained with him as part of the staff.

The objectives were clear: ascending. Since there were no relegations in the previous edition, direct promotion was now granted to the group winner and the best runner-up in all groups. Bonaire faced Anguilla and French Saint Martin.

On this occasion, they achieved promotion as the best runner-up, a historic achievement for the island and for Rilove Janga, who became the youngest coach to achieve promotion in the Concacaf Nations League.

"Now we're professionalizing the national team in every aspect. Never before have so many players from Holland come here. In September, we got three players who played in Holland to come; in October, I think, five came; in November, six."

The Federation has taken note of the recent efforts, with Pedro's help in all areas. It also emphasizes the importance of social media presence, making them understand that there are people outside the island who are extremely satisfied with the national team.

For the March FIFA World Cup, the national team had no friendlies scheduled. However, under Pedro's guidance, they secured a friendly against El Salvador, which was on a worrying streak of matches without a win. The Salvadorans were looking to break their losing streak against Bonaire. It was a historic milestone for the island:

●        First official match against a Central American team.

●        First time Bonaire played in the United States.

●        It was the first time they faced a team that had played in two World Cups.

The match was a real challenge for Bonaire, which had the opportunity to call up 10 players residing in the Netherlands. Arriving in Washington for the national team was a bit difficult due to the missed flight.

Fortunately, the team was only able to train with the full group twice, but they still took to the field to give their all.

Bonaire, struggling during the trip and facing a very different climate than the island, achieved a great feat. With dedication, strength, and good play, they secured a draw against El Salvador. The 1-1 draw was a milestone for the young federation, which faced a team far superior in experience.

"Hey, look, everything went well. Thanks to that match, this helps the Federation continue to trust us and see that we have to invest in the league here... the match against El Salvador at DC United's Audi Field, thanks to that match, many people got to know Bonaire and more than that, the Central American national teams got to know us... and above all, the most important thing, we made our island known and nothing... and Bonaire, here we are."

Today, Pedro lives and continues to work for the Bonaire Federation as a technical assistant for the national team. He communicates in Papiamento and English with Dutch residents from Europe; he also speaks Spanish with some citizens who emigrated from South America.

How is Bonaire approaching this new Concacaf Nations League?

"The Concacaf Nations League will be played in full this year, two games in September, two in October, and two in November. Then we'll know what happens. If we finish first, we qualify for the Gold Cup and move up to League A; if we finish second, we stay in League B and go to the Gold Cup qualifying round; if we finish third, we stay in the standings, and if we finish fourth, we go down to League C. Our goal is to stay in the league. The draw is on May 6. We'll be drawn against a pot rival, which is the toughest one. El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Curacao are the two teams. We'll be drawn against one of those four... we're working to play one or two in June." (friendly matches)

And finally, what's next for Pedro Rodríguez in football?

"I honestly, even though I'm far from my family because I'm here on the other side of the world... I'm here very happy, I feel the love of the people... they know that I feel these colors and the anthem and in every game... experiencing those 25 games with the men's and women's national teams, with the youth teams, with such, allowing me to travel to countries that I would never have traveled to in my life if I weren't here are incredible experiences, for me it's what changed my life, the biggest opportunity. I'm eternally grateful and that, now my contract is up, I hope I can renew it and although I'm far from my family now also thanks to the national team, many people have met me in my own city, being here, getting promoted to League B, the game against El Salvador; it's not very common to have a Spaniard here in Bonaire, so thanks to that, some teams from my region have offered me to be part of the staff and of course I'm grateful... in the short term, I can tell you that I hope to stay here, enjoy League B, I hope to achieve permanence in the League and my goal is to continue here."

Pedro was referred to me by Luc, whom I interviewed last week. All I can say is thank you to Lucho for introducing me to someone like Pedro, a passionate football fan determined to give his all with the Bonaire national team. Although he's not from the island, he feels like one of them.

To Pedro, I wish him the best of luck in the upcoming competition and thank him for all his work and for sharing this incredible story.