Rodri's historic feat and place among football's "Magnificent Seven"

The last club season was one to forget for Rodri. After recovering from the ACL tear he had suffered in September 2024, the Spaniard seriously struggled to regain his form. New knee, hamstring, and groin issues kept him sidelined for almost 150 days, causing him to miss nearly 30 games for Manchester City and his national team.

Many wrote him off, believing he was finished. Many considered him a player who had already peaked. However, he well and truly silenced his critics on the biggest stage of them all - the World Cup.

Last night, Rodri lifted the most precious trophy in football as Spain captain and wrote his name into the history books in more than one way.

Rodri crowned World Cup's best, as Mbappe claims another Golden Boot

Thanks to La Roja's fantastic and well-deserved 1-0 victory over Argentina, the 30-year-old became only the seventh player ever to have won the World Cup, a continental tournament, the UEFA Champions League, and the Ballon d'Or, joining an exclusive group of players, now called "Magnificent Seven" - Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, Zinedine Zidane, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi.

Even though many expected the Argentine icon to take home the Golden Ball, it was Rodri who walked away with the accolade, becoming the first Spaniard to win it, and the first player to do so without recording a single goal or assist in the tournament.

Most importantly, the Man City midfielder proved he was the true leader of an exceptional team, whose best days may still be ahead of them.

His conduct on and off the pitch was befitting of a World Cup-winning captain, once again showing his class.

Now, all those who criticized him are the ones who have to eat their words and swallow their pride, as the Spain captain is back at his very best.

That will be another thing for Rodri to savour and another feather in his cap.