Rodri’s Comeback Powers Spain to the 2026 World Cup Final

After a career-threatening knee-ligament injury in 2023, Manchester City midfielder Rodri endured two lengthy layoffs (October-January and April-May 2024). Critics questioned whether he could regain his pre-injury level, while Pep Guardiola urged patience, noting that only the summer World Cup would reveal his true form. Rodri’s resurgence began at the 2023 Club World Cup, where he showed “positive signs” in a 5-2 win over Juventus before a setback against Al Hilal. By the summer of 2025 he had re-established fitness, becoming the linchpin of Spain’s midfield en route to the final in Dallas.

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In the semifinal, Spain defeated tournament favorites France. Rodri won 11 duels—more than the entire French midfield combined—and completed 87 % of his passes, adding four tackles and two recoveries. His ball-recovery sparked the second-half goal, a one-two with Dani Olmo that led to Pedro Porro’s strike. Across the tournament Rodri logged the most touches (794), passes (655) and line-breaking passes (106), a statistical profile that helped earn him the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

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Spain’s head coach repeatedly highlighted Rodri’s centrality. He described the midfielder as essential to the team’s tactical identity, emphasizing balance, ball recovery, and efficient play. De la Fuente also stressed that doubts about Rodri’s fitness had been “insulting intelligence” and affirmed that the player’s form proved any skepticism unfounded.

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• Duels won vs France: 11 (French midfield total: 7)

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• Pass completion: 87 %

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• Tournament touches: 794 (most of any player)

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• Passes completed: 655 (most of any player)

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• Line-breaking passes: 106 (most of any player)

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Early in the tournament Spain faced criticism after a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, prompting questions about Rodri’s consistency. The earlier injury and intermittent playing time fueled debate about whether he could sustain elite performance. De la Fuente’s public reassurance—“We’re so lucky to have him”—aimed to counter that narrative.

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• “Rodri is the backbone in midfield that makes everything right,” — Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach

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• “Questioning Rodri was insulting intelligence,” — Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach

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• “He uses few touches, brings balance to the team and wins the ball back, I don't know how many times.” — Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach

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