World Cup 2026: Rodri’s stock hits record high as Spain midfielder adds to trophy collection

Coming back from an ACL injury is hard work.

In the year Injured in September 2024, months after Spain’s Euro triumph, Rodri missed the rest of that season and then featured sporadically last campaign.

He made 33 appearances for City in all competitions but suffered a number of injury setbacks and at times looked a shadow of his pre-injury self.

Former City boss Pep Guardiola In October last year, he predicted we wouldn’t see Rodri at his best until the World Cup.

And, as has often been the case, the Catalan was right.

“I went through the logical process that every footballer has to go through after an injury like this,” Rodri said after Spain’s win.

“It takes a year to get back to your best fitness level and then one more to feel like yourself again.

“You have to be patient and you have to believe in yourself and have confidence in yourself.”

It was an open conversation with Guardiola, who told Rodri that he had to stop to get his body right for the World Cup, which changed the course of his recovery and ensured he was back to his best for the summer competition.

“I’ve had to be brilliant to get to where I am now,” Rhodri added.

“I had to know when to stop playing and when to continue, and that’s part of what you really have to do to recover.

“It was a very difficult time, I just want the new generation to see my example as an opportunity.

“When you get down, you can get back up. That’s my philosophy for my whole life.

“Of course, sometimes things go well, things go wrong, but always positive.”