In the United States, it’s common to hear claims that if the nation’s best athletes weren’t sidetracked by American football, basketball, or oversized sandwiches, they would dominate in soccer. Some fans might enthusiastically recite player statistics, boasting about height, weight, and sprint speed.
This raises a question: has Lionel Messi ever lifted weights? Rodri likely has, yet he doesn’t fit the mold of a typical athletic superstar. Tall but not imposing, he lacks blazing speed and tends to navigate matches by positioning himself effectively. His World Cup final performance may not have produced a highlight reel to impress newcomers, but his influence was undeniable, earning him the title of player of the tournament.
This World Cup featured many individual talents, with Kylian Mbappé leading the scoring chart, followed closely by Messi, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Ousmane Dembélé. Despite the tournament being heavily marketed with star players, it was ultimately the meticulous orchestrator, Rodri, who emerged as the standout figure.
Mauricio Pochettino noted last year that the U.S. soccer system poses two significant challenges. Firstly, the high cost of club memberships excludes many potential players. Secondly, parents often seek measurable progress, leading coaches to prioritize quantifiable achievements, such as improved sprint times over the more elusive skills that define elite players.
The essential traits for a top-tier footballer—technical skill and tactical understanding—are challenging to quantify. Consequently, coaches may report minor improvements in physical metrics to satisfy parental expectations. This emphasis on measurable outcomes can divert attention from the crucial but subtle abilities that distinguish the best players, a trend reflected in U.S. soccer. Carli Lloyd and several youth coaches I’ve spoken with recently have echoed this sentiment.
At present, there is no American equivalent to Rodri. Similarly, other nations lack their versions of him, as he represents a distinctly Spanish archetype, following in the footsteps of Sergio Busquets. The modern player most akin to him is Martín Zubimendi. In a sport increasingly focused on physicality, Rodri exemplifies the cerebral approach to the game.
Much of Rodri’s contribution is intangible. He did not score or assist during the World Cup, and while his pass completion rate of 93.2% is impressive, it ranked only 44th in the tournament. Even after excluding center-backs, who typically complete simpler passes, Rodri only placed 18th. He ranked 22nd for tackles per game and 450th for interceptions. Despite being a master of fouling, akin to his Manchester City predecessor Fernandinho, he was only 97th in that category. Nonetheless, he completed a record 756 passes, showcasing his ability to exist in the right spaces, facilitate play, and, by attracting opponents, limit their passing options in his area. His presence was a significant factor in Lionel Messi’s limited influence during the final.
However, doubts surrounded Rodri’s future just two months ago when the domestic season concluded. Just ten weeks after being named player of the tournament at Euro 2024, he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 season. The decline of Manchester City during his absence was telling.
His return was fraught with challenges. He struggled at the Club World Cup and had to exit during a loss to Al-Hilal. Last season, he started only 17 league matches. Pep Guardiola suggested that Rodri’s true potential wouldn’t be realized until the World Cup. This has been a common theme, as many standout players in this tournament were those who avoided the fatigue of a grueling season.
Rodri’s story is one of remarkable redemption, a player overcoming two challenging seasons to secure both a World Cup title and European accolades. Yet, it’s ironically poignant that in a nation that venerates individualism, and in a World Cup characterized by celebrity culture, it is the unassuming, team-oriented figure of Rodri who emerges as the defining player, becoming the first non-creator to claim the Golden Ball in 24 years.
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