Spain awaits Argentina with a low-profile star: Rodri scores, plays, and soars from the center circle. At 30, Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, better known as Rodri, plays at the summit. A figure for Manchester City, he has won it all, despite a series of injuries that have plagued him over the last five seasons. He lacks the ultimate trophy, the World Cup. He is the best No. 5 in the tournament, with the arrogance of the tackle, the game, and the courage.
Neither Lamine Yamal, nor the best defense, nor Mikel Oyarzabal: the main threat to Argentina in this Sunday’s final is Rodri, master of the center circle. Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister, brilliant in Qatar and sublime against England, already know this.
Gone are the furious criticisms after winning the Ballon d’Or in 2024, amid so much Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The main candidate, according to specialists, was Vinicius Junior. So much so that all of Real Madrid did not attend the gala. It is worth clarifying: the White House represents the same country as Rodri, who said at the time: «We want all the best players on the planet to be present on a night like this. The best team of the year did not attend the ceremony, even though the best coach and top scorer were crowned.» The awards for best club and coach went to Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti, creating a great void that was noticeable at the Théâtre du Châtelet.
«He is the best player in the world, even at 50% he is better than most midfielders in the world,» said Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s coach, usually prone to excessive praise, a month ago.
With 11.97 kilometers per game, he is the third player who covered the most distance among the 32 teams that reached the round of 16. Only Switzerland’s Remo Freuler (12.29 km) and the unexpected Andrés Cubas (12.15 km) surpass him.
«I always say a phrase: this team runs as if it were small and plays like a big one. I think that is the hallmark that Luis de la Fuente has transmitted since he arrived,» said the midfield titan in an interview he gave to FIFA before the electrifying World Cup.
He had already shown signs in recent matches of being recovered, but Tuesday’s semifinal against France confirmed it: Rodri, captain of La Roja, is once again the player who won the Ballon d’Or in 2024. With his stature, he imposed his dominance over Les Bleus at all levels of play: physical, technical, and mental. «Rodri stood out above all. What a game! What a player! He was everywhere, simply superb,» marveled Zlatan Ibrahimovic, commentator during the World Cup for the American channel Fox, after the match won by Spain (2-0). The Swede, who used to be ruthless, also indulges in adjectives.
France entered the match as the team that had impressed the most during the tournament, especially with its powerful offensive quartet formed by Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, and Barcola. But coach Luis de la Fuente set up a defensive web from which Les Bleus could not escape. In this setup, goalkeeper Unai Simón (only one goal conceded in the entire tournament, in the quarterfinals against Belgium), the defense (Porro and Cucurella on the flanks and Laporte and Cubarsí in the center), and even the work in pressing by the forwards and interiors could be highlighted, but above all, the figure of Rodri stands out.
In Texan lands, like a lone cowboy in the Far West, the Madrid native became master of the ranch: against France he was the one who ran the most (12.63 km) and caused the most turnovers among his rivals (19), recalls the AFP agency.
However, barely two months after winning the continental title in Berlin (2-1 against England), Rodri suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, from which he struggled to recover. Even when the knee injury was overcome, he had various physical problems that prevented him from performing at the level he has shown over the last seven years at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
«In this World Cup he is showing who he is. We must not forget that we are talking about a Ballon d’Or winner, which is not easy to achieve playing in his position. He is a world-class player who gives confidence to his teammates, makes them better. He knows when to set the game on fire and when to pour water on the fire. He is the player every team needs,» was the interesting analysis from Ibra during his television appearance.
The French newspaper L’Equipe, always incisive, this time capitulated before his performance. «It must be desperate for rivals to see him always in the right place at every moment. The midfielder once again delivered a high-flying performance, both in recovery and in directing his team. Eleven duels won out of 15 contested,» it stated.
Amid so much praise, the captain of La Roja, heir to the position of Sergio Busquets and even the pioneer Guardiola, despite never having played for Barcelona, does not want it to be personalized to one player: «The key is collective effort, I could not name a single footballer,» he warns. A message that Argentina must interpret.
And he warned: «We are facing the game of our lives. We want more and we want to win the World Cup.»
Far from the general opinion, long before the big event (last October), Guardiola defended Rodri’s ability to overcome adversity. He currently carries a discomfort in the lumbar area, but maximum care for the right knee remains on the table. «Rodri is an impressive player, but it’s not about playing after six, seven, or eight months and being the player he was before, no. Do you know when he will be? At the World Cup with Spain. At the World Cup we will see the best Rodri.»
Watch the 2026 World Cup in the best quality
These are the most sought-after TVs to watch the national team. All with 12 interest-free installments:
- Smart TV Kanji 32″ LED HD – From $120,000 in 12 interest-free installments (VAFTS9-89J3)
- Smart TV LG 43″ 4K UHD WebOS – From $450,000 in 12 interest-free installments (VAFTS9-WXW9)
- Smart TV Samsung 50″ 4K UHD – From $600,000 in 12 interest-free installments (VAFTS9-VVE0)
Approximate prices. 12 interest-free installments subject to each seller. Search for the codes on Mercado Libre.
Para mí este Rodri es un tractorcito del sistema, corre 12 km porque no tiene ni una gota de conducción ofensiva. El Balón de Oro se lo dieron por europeo nomás. La Selección le va a pasar por arriba con el fideo y el dibu. ¡Vamos Argentina carajo! Estos viven del verso.
Para mí este Rodri es un muñeco del marketing europeo, un peón del sistema. La Scaloneta le va a pasar por arriba porque tenemos huevos y Patria. Aguante Messi, carajo. Mañana les rompemos el orto a estos ingleses de mierda, que se metan el Balón de Oro en el culo.