Spain's captain Rodri won the Golden Ball award after the Fifa World Cup final.
Fifa World Cup hero Rodri is reportedly set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines, with Spain's captain requiring back surgery fresh off La Roja's global triumph.
The 30-year-old midfielder claimed the Golden Ball as the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s best player, serving as the calm engine room in all eight matches of Spain’s successful title run.
However, the victory came on the heels of two injury-plagued club campaigns, including a major ligament tear in September 2024 followed by persistent hamstring and groin issues that restricted him to just 17 Premier League starts last season.
The timing of the surgery adds further intrigue to his club future. Rodri is entering the final 12 months of his Manchester City contract, with reports suggesting he is open to a return to Madrid to join Real, where momentum is building to secure his signature.
