Photo: Marcello Casal Jr/ Agência Brasil / CC BY 3.0 br / Wikimedia Commons
Rodri led Spain to their first men's World Cup title since 2010, becoming the first Manchester City player to captain a side to World Cup glory. The midfielder also won the 2026 Golden Ball as Player of the Tournament.
Spain, the reigning European champions, defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in New York to claim the title.
Former City manager Pep Guardiola had predicted in October 2025 that Rodri would show his best football at this World Cup. Ex-City defender Micah Richards, who made 245 appearances for the club over ten seasons, said that prediction proved fully correct.
"Before the game we said how much of an impact he has in this midfield," said Richards. "From winning the Euros, to getting the Ballon d'Or, to winning the World Cup, to the Champions League. But also having the knee injury and then coming back. We've had knee injuries before, it's very difficult to come back and a lot of people have written him off."
"Pep Guardiola said he's going to be back at his best at the World Cup. He was absolutely right! And he was just the best midfielder in the tournament, hands down. His technical ability and his calmness on the ball just takes him to another level. What a trophy cabinet he has got at home, wow, fully deserved."
Rodri's World Cup triumph adds to a career haul that already includes a Ballon d'Or, a UEFA European Championship, and a UEFA Champions League title.