World Cup 2026 · Best player in World Cup 2026?

Rodri

The Maestro from Madrid

Defensive Midfielder

Position

Manchester City

Club

Spain

Nation

Age

Biography

Born in Madrid in 1996, Rodrigo Hernández Cascante rose through the Atletico Madrid academy before moving to Villarreal. Manchester City paid 70M EUR in 2019 and he became the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola greatest team. In 2024 he won the Ballon dOr after leading Manchester City to the Premier League and Spain to Euro 2024, becoming the first holding midfielder to win the award in decades.

Rodri

The Maestro from Madrid

Defensive Midfielder · Spain

Trophies & Honours

🏆

Ballon dOr

2024 · Individual

🏆

UEFA Euro 2024

2024 · Spain NT

🏆

Premier League x4

2021-2024 · Manchester City

🏆

UEFA Champions League

2023 · Manchester City

🏆

UEFA Nations League

2021 · Spain NT

The Venue

Manchester City

Premier League · England

Rodri is the axis around which Pep Guardiola Manchester City revolves. His injury in 2024 directly led to City form collapsing - no clearer proof of his importance.

Career Stats

320

Club Matches

Club Goals

0.13

Goals per Game

Club Assists

National Team Matches

National Team Goals

0.14

Goals per Game (NT)

120M EUR

Market Value

Career Timeline

2015

Villarreal

Professional debut - developed into one of La Liga best midfielders

2018

Atletico Madrid

Returned to Madrid - La Liga runner-up under Simeone

2019

Manchester City

Signed for 70M EUR - immediate impact under Guardiola

2023

Manchester City

Treble winner - Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup

2024

Spain NT

Euro 2024 winner - Player of the Tournament. Ballon dOr winner

Best Matches

Champions League Finalvs Inter Milan1-02023-06-10

Controlled the game completely. Won every duel, set the tempo. Man of the Match.

Euro 2024 Finalvs England2-12024-07-14

Player of the Tournament performance. Dominated midfield against England.

Champions League SFvs Real Madrid5-1 agg2023-04-26

Completely shut down Modric and Kroos. City dominant in both legs.

Records & Milestones

★

First holding midfielder to win Ballon dOr since Lothar Matthaus in 1990

★

Most accurate passer in Premier League history (93.5% pass completion)

★

Only lost one game in 90 minutes in the 2023-24 season

★

Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament

Characteristics

The definition of a modern regista. Rodri sits deep and orchestrates play with his exceptional passing range and reading of the game. He breaks up opposition attacks and immediately transitions into building Manchester City attacks.

Strengths

✓Passing range

✓Game reading

✓Defensive positioning

✓Leadership

✓Set pieces

Weaknesses

✕Pace

✕Dribbling

✕Recovery speed

Did You Know?

When Rodri was injured in September 2024, Manchester City went on a run of 12 games without a win - his absence was cited as the single biggest factor.

He studied Business Administration at university while playing professional football, completing his degree during his time at Villarreal.

Rodri is one of the most accurate passers in the history of the Premier League, regularly completing over 95% of his attempted passes.

He was the first Spanish player to win the Ballon dOr since Alexia Putellas, and the first man from Spain to win it since Luis Suarez in 1960.

Pep Guardiola has called Rodri the most important player he has ever managed - ahead of Messi, Iniesta and Xavi at Barcelona.

Name Your Side

Is Rodri the best World Cup 2026 host city?

Vote now. Live rankings built by real votes from fans worldwide.