Rodri

Spanish defensive midfielder regarded as one of the world's best in his position, won 2024 Ballon d'Or and instrumental in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph

Rodrigo Hernández Cascante was born in Madrid, Spain in 1996. Atlético Madrid developed him before Manchester City paid £62.8 million for him in 2019. His five City seasons have produced four Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League. He won Euro 2024 with Spain — his fourth European Championship — and the Nations League in 2021. He was awarded the 2024 Ballon d'Or — the first defensive midfielder to win the award since Lothar Matthäus in 1991 — recognition for a season of consistent excellence at both club and international level. His pass completion rate — consistently above 93% in the Premier League — his defensive positioning and his ability to dictate tempo have made him the most impactful holding midfielder in European football. A serious knee injury sustained in September 2024 ended his season. His award was described by many analysts as the clearest evidence of the growing analytical recognition of defensive contribution — his importance to both City and Spain was demonstrably irreplaceable.

Deep-lying playmaker with exceptional passing range and defensive intelligence

Rodri has established himself as one of the finest defensive midfielders of his generation, becoming indispensable to both club and country's success.

• Champions League (2023)
• Premier League 4x
• Euro (Spain 2024)
• Nations League (2021)
• Ballon d'Or (2024)
• Champions League 2023
• Premier League 2021
• Premier League 2022
• Premier League 2023
• Premier League 2024
• Euro 2024
• Nations League 2021

Club Career

Club	Period	Fee	Apps	Goals	Shirt
Atlético Madrid	2018–2019	€20m	47	16	#16
Manchester City	2019–2024	£70m	259	26	—
Villarreal	2015–2018	—	84	2	—
Spain	—	—	71	15	—