The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) extends its deepest gratitude and respect to Simone Rota, who has officially retired from professional football after a career defined by perseverance, professionalism, and service to the game.
Rota, team captain of PFF member club Kaya FC-Iloilo, ended his pro career with his farewell cap last December 11 in the final Asian Champions League 2 group match against Pohang Steelers on home soil at the New Clark City in Tarlac, where he started at central defense and played 86 minutes against one of South Korea’s top clubs at the age of 41.
From his beginnings in Europe to his decision to return to the country of his birth, Rota’s journey paralleled the steady rise of Philippine football. At the national team level, he brought composure, discipline, and defensive reliability, earning his first international cap in 2014 and contributing significantly in major regional and continental competitions, helping the Philippine men’s national football earn its first ever qualification to the Asian Cup finals in 2019.
Rota played as a defender, mainly as full-back, for the Philippine men’s national football team (PMNFT) from 2014 to 2023, earning 27 caps and scoring two international goals. A regular starter for the national team for the entirety of 2014, Rota got sidelined for two years due to an ACL injury from June 2015 to June 2017, but made a huge comeback for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, playing the entire 90 minutes in that historic game against Tajikistan at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, which PMNFT won to qualify to the Asian Cup for the first time.
At 37, Rota’s final cap for the national team was for the 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers in June 2022, where he played the entire 90 minutes against Palestine alongside new generation PMNFT stalwarts Gerrit Holtmann, Sandro Reyes, and Jeff Tabinas.
His post-injury contributions for flag and country are testaments to Rota’s tenacity to succeed in football and in life the same way he defended quality opposition on the pitch. His presence during a formative era, the Asian Cup glory to close the decade, and the transition to the current generation during the pandemic years provided stability and experience, helping elevate standards within the squad and reinforcing belief that Filipino footballers could compete with confidence on the international stage.
“Simone Rota represents everything we value in Philippine football—resilience, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the badge,” said PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez. “His decision to serve the country and give back to the game, and to come back stronger after a major injury, has left a lasting imprint on our national team and our football culture.”
At club level, Rota was equally influential. Across multiple Philippine clubs and most notably with Kaya FC-Iloilo, he exemplified professionalism, tactical intelligence, and consistency. Younger players benefited from his leadership on and off the pitch, while coaches relied on his experience and adaptability in high-pressure matches. His time in the United Football League, Philippines Football League, and Copa Paulino Alcantara–where he played a combined total of 112 caps, coincided with important strides in competitiveness and structure, and his contributions helped strengthen club football’s credibility and ambition.
At the international club level, Rota, while playing at the back most of the time, is one of a few players from Filipino clubs who have scored in the AFC Asian Champions League (ACL), the continent’s top tier club championship, which he made in December 2023, at the age of 39, against South Korean club Incheon United.
Beyond statistics and appearances, Rota’s impact is rooted in character. His life story—from an orphanage in Parañaque to international football—resonated deeply with fans and players alike, underscoring football’s power to transform lives. His continued service to his community, including volunteering at the orphanage where he was raised, reflects values the PFF seeks to uphold. His remarkable life story was depicted in the film Journeyman Finds Home: The Simone Rota Story, which was directed by the late Albert Almendralejo and Maricel Cariaga, making him a role model to the youth.
PFF thanks Rota for his dedication, sacrifices, and legacy. His influence will endure in the players he inspired, the clubs he strengthened, and the continued growth of Philippine football as he begins a new chapter beyond the pitch.
