Despite a serious injury he suffered since winning the Ballon d'Or in 2024, Spain captain Rodri has finally regained his form thanks to his determination, and will be the key element in 'La Roja's' midfield on Sunday when they face Argentina in the World Cup final.

The semi-final match against France showed the superiority of the Manchester City midfielder in all aspects: physically, technically and mentally.

Former Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who works as an analyst for the American network Fox during the tournament, praised Rodri, saying: 'He was above everyone... He was everywhere, and he was simply exceptional.'

But the start of the European champions' captain in the current finals was not easy. After a lackluster performance against Cape Verde (0-0), similar to the entire team, he gradually asserted himself against Saudi Arabia (4-0), by speeding up play buildup and showing more ferocity in regaining the ball.

After beating Uruguay (1-0) in the first round and then Austria (3-0) in the round of 32, Rodri warned that the European champions still had a 'big margin for improvement'.

- A new resurgence -

Spain proved that by eliminating Portugal led by Cristiano Ronaldo (1-0) in the round of 16, then Belgium (2-1) in the quarter-finals.

Against France, Rodri, who turned 30 on June 22, showed complete control in a midfield that also included Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo. He was the player with the most running in the match (12.63 km), the most dispossessions of opponents (19 times), and won 11 of 15 duels he contested.

This comeback represents a true resurgence for a player who, just two months after winning the European title in 2024 in Berlin, suffered a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee. He then went up to the stage of the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on crutches to receive the Ballon d'Or, an image that will remain etched in memory.

Since then, the Manchester City defensive midfielder has waged a long battle to regain full fitness. His 2026 season was inconsistent and affected by other injuries to his hamstring and thigh.

But his coach Luis de la Fuente never lost faith in him, saying in defense of his captain: 'Rodri at 50% is better than any other midfielder', before the player proved this bet right.

- His future? Later -

Rodri's importance is not limited to his role as captain, but also includes his leadership qualities, especially after the international retirement of Álvaro Morata and Dani Carvajal.

He is a serious and focused player in training as in matches, and he emphasized to his teammates the need to 'suffer to progress'.

Ibrahimovic said after reaching the final: 'He is a world-class player who gives confidence to his teammates and makes them better.'

Nevertheless, Rodri refuses to take credit, insisting that the key to Spain's success 'is the collective effort of everyone.'

His goal now is to lead Spain to a second star on Sunday in East Rutherford near New York, 16 years after the 2010 triumph in South Africa.

He will then add to his record one of the few titles that still eludes him, having won four English Premier League titles, the Champions League in 2023, the UEFA Nations League the same year, and the European Championship.

He will then have plenty of time to think about his future, whether with Manchester City, where he joined in 2019 and has only one year left on his contract, or perhaps with Real Madrid, which has previously shown interest in signing him.

But the Madrid native had confirmed before the start of the tournament: 'Everything regarding my future will be postponed until after the World Cup', indicating his full focus on the current goal.