Rodri came in for some criticism in Spain after they were held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde in their first game of the World Cup. There were accusations that he had moved the ball too slowly; that he was in some way responsible for the result.
His manager made it clear he felt otherwise. “It seems incredibly insulting to me that people would say that about the best player in the world,” said Luis de la Fuente. “Would people say that about others who are considered the best? I don’t think they would dare.
“But because he’s Spanish, we say things about our own that we wouldn’t about others. Rodri is the best player in the world. Even at 50 per cent, he is better than most other midfielders. He brings clarity, vision, balance. Rodri is an inspiration for us.”
Five weeks and six straight wins later, it is easy to forget how this tournament began for Spain and their captain, whose performances on their run to the final have proved his manager right. If not the best in the world, then certainly the best in his position.
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Speaking on The Rest is Football, Gary Lineker and John Obi Mikel were left seriously impressed by Rodri’s performance against France in the World Cup semi-final
He came into it on the back of a difficult season domestically following his return from the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in the previous campaign as setbacks hindered his efforts to recapture his best form. But it has all played out exactly as Pep Guardiola predicted for the 30-year-old in October.
“I said to him, and he maybe struggled to understand, it’s not about six, seven, eight months out, then playing and being the Rodri of before. No. Do you know when Rodri will be good? At the World Cup with Spain. At the World Cup he will be the best Rodri.”
Spain’s strength lies in the collective. Their semi-final victory against star-studded France highlighted the value of teamwork over individuals. But it certainly helps to have this version of Rodri bringing it all together in the centre of the pitch.
He heads into Sunday’s final against Argentina having completed the most passes by any player at a World Cup on record, with 655. He has helped Spain grind opponents down by circulating the ball, while also offering speed and incision when required.
His total of 62 line-breaking passes in the final third is the most by any player at a World Cup since Toni Kroos hit the same number for Germany on their way to winning it in 2014. Only winger Alex Baena has created more chances among Spain players.
At a tournament in which Spain have averaged 64 per cent possession, almost everything has travelled through him. Rodri has had roughly 20 per cent more touches and made roughly 20 per cent more passes than any player from any side.
“Every time you see him, he’s always showing up for the ball,” said the former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel on The Rest Is Football. “It doesn’t matter whether he makes a mistake, he’s always available.”
His willingness to take responsibility is part of his role as their leader and he has demonstrated his excellence off the ball as well as on it. His ability to read danger and put out fires has helped Spain restrict their opponents to a solitary goal in seven games.
Rodri has made the second-most tackles at the tournament. He also ranks highly for possessions won in the middle and final thirds. France actually had a roughly even share of possession in Tuesday’s semi-final but Rodri dominated all phases of play, winning 11 out of 15 duels, including four out of four aerials.
All of it has been underpinned by a level of professionalism that has helped him navigate a challenging return from injury and play 627 minutes of a possible 630 at the tournament.
Those who have worked with him say his unerring commitment to his preparation has been apparent since his youth.
“He stood out for his intelligence as a footballer, but also because he was also very clear about how a young player should behave,” Paco Lopez, his coach in Villarreal’s B team, told Sky Sports. “A lot of boys can get distracted, but he always understood what was required to become a professional.”
Rodri still has that knack for understanding what is required, on the pitch as well as off it. He effectively plays the role of a second coach, organising his team-mates in and out of possession and dictating the tempo as he has for Spain throughout the tournament.
Rodri and Mikel Merino leap with joy after Spain’s last-gasp winner against Belgium
His return to top form comes at a time of some uncertainty around his future. Rodri only has a year remaining on his contract at Manchester City. In signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m, they appear to have secured a long-term successor.
On the evidence of the last five weeks, though, and the performances that have put him and his country one more win away from lifting the World Cup, Rodri continues to set the standard.
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