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After recovering from a major ACL injury nearly two years ago, Spanish midfielder Rodri has been able to make a huge impact as La Roja look to win their first World Cup since 2010.
Havng endured a similar injury during his career, FOX Sports football analyst Zlatan Ibrahimović praised the remarkable comeback Rodri has made from his injury.
“He’s a player who doesn’t get a lot of credit, gets unseen, but [he] won the Ballon d’Or, which is not normal for the position he plays in,” Ibrahimović said after Spain’s semi-final win over France.
Ibrahimović went on to compliment Rodri’s skills, saying that not only does he “set fire to players around him”, but he can also “put out fire” for his multi-faceted leadership skills on the pitch.
In 2024, Rodri ruptured his ACL while playing for Manchester City and underwent surgery that saw him miss Spain’s title run at Euro 2024. He then returned to the competition in May 2025 and received a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 85th minute of City’s 3–1 win over Bournemouth.
At this World Cup, Rodri started every game and has played almost every minute, missing only three throughout the tournament. With this kind of consistency and health, it’s safe to say that Rodri is back and ready to compete at the highest level.
