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Rodri, Spain’s midfield engine and Ballon d’Or-caliber talent, has responded to weeks of media scrutiny with the kind of quiet confidence that makes him one of the most frustrating players to bet against. After facing pointed criticism following Spain’s sluggish 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in their World Cup opener on June 18, the Manchester City star says he remained “always confident” in his own game, even when the headlines suggested otherwise.
That confidence looks well-placed now. Spain just dismantled France 2-0 in the semi-final on July 14, and Rodri was the best player on the pitch by a comfortable margin. Multiple media outlets rated his performance between 8.5 and 10 out of 10. The same press that questioned whether he was slowing the team down is now writing love letters.
From scapegoat to standout in four weeks
Spain opened their 2026 World Cup campaign against Cape Verde and came away with a goalless draw. Rodri, as the deepest midfielder, became the easy target. The accusation was specific: he was slowing down play.
Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente called the criticism “insulting” and doubled down on his captain, reaffirming Rodri’s status as potentially the best player in the world. Rodri was the heartbeat of Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, a tournament where he controlled matches with surgical precision, and the expectations carried over into the World Cup.
The France masterclass
Rodri’s performance against Les Bleus wasn’t just good. His pass completion rate was elite. His duels won were dominant. Spain won 2-0, and Rodri was at the center of suffocating France’s midfield.
When a player receives marks ranging from 8.5 to a perfect 10, the consensus isn’t just positive, it’s unanimous. Rodri’s post-match comments noted that he remained “always confident” despite the criticism, and that early scrutiny is part of the tournament landscape.
Spain now faces the World Cup final with Rodri being discussed as a potential Golden Ball winner. De la Fuente’s public defense of his captain was backed by Rodri’s knockout-round performances, which suggest the group stage was calibration, not decline.
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