Pedro: ‘Tough to hold emotions in, don’t know what future holds’

Pedro admits it was ‘tough to hold in my emotions’ when scoring the winner in his final Lazio game against Pisa. ‘I don’t know what the future holds yet.’

It was already an emotional evening at the Stadio Olimpico, knowing that he will not renew his contract after it expires on June 30, so this was his farewell match.

The team wore shirts with special patches of his face and he was the captain, but also scored the winning goal with a left-foot curler into the bottom corner.

This completed the comeback from the Stefano Moreo free header following a Fisayo Dele-Bashiru equaliser, and Pedro was given a standing ovation as he left the field for the final time in a Lazio jersey.

“All this esteem from everyone is wonderful, I can only thank them, it has been very special. It was tough for me to hold in my emotions in today,” Pedro told Sky Sport Italia.

“We wanted to finish with a victory, and I leave here with a good memory.”

There was a lovely hug with Maurizio Sarri on the touchline, and they go back to Stamford Bridge long before the Stadio Olimpico.

“We have known each other a very long time, at Chelsea first and then Lazio, so we have a strong rapport. It was an honour for me to be a player who learned so much from Sarri.”

It is not clear what his next step will be, but Pedro does not seem to have much intention of hanging up his boots yet.

He will turn 39 in July and scored five goals with two assists in 29 Serie A appearances this season, closing with a Player of the Match trophy.

“I don’t know what the future holds yet, I will rest a little and then see what can happen. It was a tough campaign for everyone, I want to enjoy these memories and spend some time with my family.”

It was just a pity that the Lazio ultras did not suspend their boycott of the home matches for the occasion, so the standing ovation was in a practically empty stadium.

Several of the fans who did turn up had banners reading they were ‘only here’ for Pedro or coach Maurizio Sarri, who is also likely to leave, but the ultras did give him their salute yesterday at the Formello training ground.