DALLAS — If Rodri had glanced out of the Spain team bus window as it departed Dallas Stadium after their World Cup semifinal victory over France, he might have caught sight of the distant roller coasters at the nearby Six Flags theme park.
Over the past three years, the Manchester City midfielder has navigated a series of remarkable highs and lows.
From scoring in the 2023 Champions League final and claiming a Euro 2024 title with Spain (where he was named the world’s best men’s player), to facing a potentially career-ending knee ligament injury and subsequent challenges during his recovery, Rodri has endured experiences that many players never encounter.
However, after regaining his form and fitness this summer, he is set to enter the World Cup final against Argentina with confidence. The uncertainties have vanished, and his impact is once again appreciated.
A year ago in the U.S., Rodri faced one of his lowest moments. During the FIFA Club World Cup with City — just nine months after his knee injury — he demonstrated promising signs of recovery in a 5-2 victory over Juventus.
Yet, his next match against Al Hilal was disheartening. Rodri entered as a substitute, only to leave the field early in extra time as City exited the tournament. Pep Guardiola later mentioned that Rodri requested to be substituted due to discomfort. This early exit meant City did not reach the Club World Cup final in New York.
A year later, Rodri is pivotal in leading Spain to the World Cup final in the same venue on Sunday. After defeating tournament favorites France in the semifinals, coach Luis de la Fuente was asked about Spain’s ability to dominate a team filled with elite attacking talent. His response, while detailed, highlighted one player in particular.
“Rodri is the backbone in midfield that makes everything work,” he said, smiling.
This was quite the tribute, considering De la Fuente’s philosophy revolves around the collective, rather than individual stars.
The Golden Boot race at this World Cup has showcased many stars, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane. However, Spain’s progress to the final has been a testament to their collective strength, with Rodri at the core of that effort.
“Today, we faced one of the world’s best national teams,” de la Fuente remarked after beating France. “But they were up against the best team in the world.”
Rodri did not dominate the match against France like Messi, Mbappé, or Bellingham have at times this tournament. His brilliance was more subdued but equally effective.
He won more duels (11) than the entire French midfield (seven) and boasted an impressive 87% pass completion rate while delivering four tackles and recovering the ball twice. Spain controlled the game so well that Unai Simón hardly had a save to make.
The decisive second goal came from Pedro Porro in the second half, a goal created by an elegant one-two with Dani Olmo and finished calmly by the Tottenham Hotspur fullback.
What often goes unnoticed in the highlights, however, is Rodri’s contribution before the goal—a loose ball from France’s penalty area that he skillfully intercepted and recycled, leading directly to the decisive goal.
Throughout the World Cup, Rodri has stood out, leading all players with 794 touches, 655 completed passes, and 106 line-breaking passes, all indicative of the form that earned him the Ballon d’Or in 2024.
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During two lengthy injuries last season—between October-January and then April-May—doubts surrounded Rodri’s ability to return to his previous form. Many questioned whether he could fully recover from such a significant injury. Guardiola urged fans to be patient, predicting that Rodri wouldn’t be truly back until this summer’s World Cup.
De la Fuente also believed in Rodri’s capacity to play a crucial role for Spain, and both were proven correct.
“Questioning Rodri’s ability was an insult to our intelligence,” De la Fuente said after the victory over France. “Time has validated us. He’s the perfect player for our footballing philosophy. He makes minimal touches, provides balance to the team, and retrieves the ball countless times. His contributions are vital to our footballing approach.”
After a commanding 4-0 victory against Saudi Arabia in the group stage—an impressive performance following criticism spurred by a surprising 0-0 draw with Cape Verde—De la Fuente reassured Spanish fans by saying, “We’re incredibly fortunate to have him.”
He added, “Rodri was absolutely phenomenal. He’s the best in the world at his position.”
While De la Fuente always knew Rodri’s value, this summer has served as a reminder of just how talented he truly is. After a challenging journey back, lifting the World Cup on Sunday would cap off an exhilarating three-year ride on a triumphant note.