Rodri praised as Spain’s hybrid of Busquets and Iniesta at this World Cup | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, football greats and former coaches say Rodri’s knockout form has defined Spain’s World Cup run, fitting for the 2024 Ballon d’Or he holds as he faces Argentina in Sunday’s final at 21:00.

After a muted 0-0 with Cape Verde on 15 June, he helped beat Austria 3-0 on 2 July then shone in the 2-0 win over France.

Marcelino, who gave him his Villarreal debut, rates him the outstanding player in his role and says he has grown game by game. Former assistant Quique Alvarez notes how he can stabilise a team almost on his own. Paco Lopez points to elite positioning and reading of space compensating for limited pace.

He has completed 371 passes in the opposition half, with Leandro Paredes on 297, and a tournament-best 106 line breaking passes, ahead of Aymeric Laporte’s 91. He is fourth for duels won and for balls recovered, and has only nine fouls in seven matches.

Philipp Lahm believes Rodri embodies Spain’s rhythm and ideals, and that without him the structure frays. He argues the midfielder merges duties once split between Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets.

Luis de la Fuente has bristled at doubts, praising his few-touch play, line breaking and balance. Gilberto Silva adds that Spain’s structure and team-mates give him passing options to recycle quickly. After an ACL rupture in September 2024, his form from January helped restore Manchester City’s shape.

Source: L'Équipe