As the final three whistles blew to mark the end of extra time in the New York New Jersey stadium, Spain’s World Cup dream had finally been relived 16 years later, after a tiresome 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina.
Amid the Spanish players’ dancing and celebrating, one legend made his mark on the international stage, etching his name alongside the greats.
His performance throughout the World Cup, being Spain’s captain and main midfielder, controlling the pace of the game as well as the Spanish possession and passing, his efforts won him the golden ball award – given to the best player throughout the tournament.
At just 30 years of age, Rodri has won essentially every major honour available at both the club and international level, with fans around the world claiming he has “completed football.”
Playing for Manchester City at the club level in the English Premier League, he has won all the domestic trophies – the FA Cup, the English Supercup, the Carabao Cup and the Premier League.
His contributions for Man City didn’t stop there, winning the FIFA Club World Cup, the Premier League International Cup, the UEFA Supercup and the most prestigious of all, the UEFA Champions League.
His defining club moment came in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final, where his second-half strike against Inter Milan secured Manchester City’s first-ever European crown and completed the club’s historic continental treble.
In 2024, after Manchester City’s Treble, winning the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, his individual brilliance was recognised and solidified in history as he was awarded the annual Ballon D’or trophy.
Under Pep Guardiola, he became the heartbeat of City’s most successful era, combining composure on the ball with exceptional defensive intelligence.
His accolades continued on to the international stage with Spain. With his country, Rodri won the UEFA Nations League and the UEFA Euros, both of the main tournaments for European countries.
He played for Spain in the 2022 FIFA World Cup but lost in the round-of-16, and now the second time seems to be the charm as under his captaincy, Spain have lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy once again after 16 years.
Rodri’s rise didn’t come from star-studded matches, advertisements or highlight reels. His influence on the pitch was, and is, always measured by control, positioning, and an ability to give all his teammates a chance to succeed.
His managers trust him, teammates rely on him and opponents struggle to play him.
Bobby Charlton, Franz Beckenbauer and Paolo Rossi were the ones to have won the World Cup, UEFA Euros, UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d’Or during their careers. It is one of football’s rarest achievements, and Rodri has added himself to the list.
The midfielder has not simply won football’s biggest prizes-he has, in every sense of the phrase, completed football.