TEAM EFFORT. Spain's Rodri hands the World Cup trophy to Mikel Merino as they celebrate winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mark J Rebilas/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters
'I’d love for the younger generations to see that a player who touches the heavens, then descends into hell, can come back,' says Rodri as he captains Spain to its second FIFA World Cup title
NEW JERSEY, USA – Spain’s midfield rock Rodri hopes younger generations can learn from his experience in overcoming adversity after he won the FIFA World Cup on Sunday, July 19 (Monday, July 20, Manila time), to complete his collection of the game’s major prizes less than two years after rupturing his knee ligaments.
The 30-year-old was named the tournament’s best player and joined greats Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, and Zinedine Zidane as the only men to win the World Cup and European Championship at international level, the European Cup/Champions League with his club, and the Ballon d’Or.
