The present invention provides a rubber composition capable of improving the rubber strength and fuel economy in a balanced manner, and a pneumatic tire formed from the rubber composition. The present invention relates to a rubber composition including a rubber component, carbon black, and a compound represented by formula (I) below, wherein the amount of the carbon black is 10 to 100 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component: wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same as or different from each other, and each represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-C20 alkyl group, a C1-C20 alkenyl group, or a C1-C20 alkynyl group; M r+ represents a metal ion; and r represents a valence of the metal ion.