EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey : Spain midfielder Rodri completed one of football’s most remarkable comebacks on Sunday, lifting the World Cup and claiming FIFA’s Player of the Tournament award less than two years after suffering a devastating knee ligament injury.
The 30-year-old anchored Spain’s midfield in their 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal to secure the country’s second World Cup title.
Rodri joined Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller and Zinedine Zidane as the only players to win the World Cup and European Championship with their national team, the European Cup/Champions League with their club and the Ballon d’Or.
The achievement carried extra significance given his return from a ruptured knee ligament that sidelined him less than two years before the tournament. Although he had yet to fully recapture the dominant form that earned him football’s highest individual honour in 2024 after helping Spain win the European Championship and Manchester City enjoy a record 74-match unbeaten run with him in the side, he delivered when it mattered most.
“It feels like the perfect script. I certainly didn’t expect this,” Rodri said after receiving the Golden Ball award.
“I’d love for the younger generations to see that a player who touches the heavens, then descends into hell, can come back. It’s a lesson in overcoming adversity.”
Spain’s collective strength
Despite his individual accolades, Rodri credited Spain’s collective spirit for their triumph over a stubborn Argentina side.
“That’s the secret of the national team,” he said. “We’re always going to go for you. In the end, God rewards you. We’ve been brave.
“We’re on cloud nine. This squad is sensational. We’re two-time world champions. It was the toughest tournament in World Cup history. We beat a great Argentina side, featuring Lionel Messi, the best player in history.”
Spain dominated possession throughout the final before finally breaking through in the second period of extra time.
Rodri believed the outcome reflected the balance of play.
“Argentina are world champions. They haven’t created much, but they’re hard to break down,” he said.
“Spain are simply very good, and in the end, the result was fair.”
