Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (born 22 June 1996), known as Rodri or Rodrigo, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City and the Spain national team. He is considered by pundits to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, and is known for his versatility, accurate passing and tactical ability.
.jpg) Rodri playing for Spain in 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Rodrigo Hernández Cascante | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 22 June 1996 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Madrid, Spain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Manchester City | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | Rayo Majadahonda | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2013 | Atlético Madrid | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2015 | Villarreal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | Villarreal B | 39 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2018 | Villarreal | 63 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Atlético Madrid | 34 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019– | Manchester City | 168 | (21) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Spain U16 | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Spain U19 | 8 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Spain U21 | 6 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018– | Spain | 49 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:09, 28 April 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:28, 26 March 2024 (UTC) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After stints with Villarreal and Atlético Madrid in La Liga, Rodri joined Premier League club Manchester City in 2019. He helped the team win three consecutive league titles in the 2020–21, 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, the latter of these part of a campaign that saw the club claim a historic continental treble. This treble included City's first UEFA Champions League title, with Rodri scoring the only goal in the final, and being named the tournament's Player of the Season.
Rodri is a Spain international and former youth international. He made his debut for the senior national team in 2018 and represented his country at UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In 2023, he won the UEFA Nations League, being named the best player of the finals tournament.
Club career
Early life and career
Rodrigo Hernández Cascante[3] was born on 22 June 1996[4] in Madrid.[5] He joined Atlético Madrid's youth setup in 2007 aged 11, from CF Rayo Majadahonda.[6] Released in 2013 due to a "lack of physical strength", he subsequently signed with Villarreal.[7][8]
On 7 February 2015, while still a junior, Rodri made his senior debut for the reserves, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–1 away win against RCD Espanyol B in the Segunda División B.[9] He was handed his first start 15 days later, in a 2–0 victory at Real Zaragoza B.[10]
Rodri made his first-team debut on 17 December 2015, starting in a 2–0 home win against SD Huesca for that season's Copa del Rey.[11] His first La Liga appearance was on 17 April 2016, when he came on as a second-half substitute for Denis Suárez in a 2–1 away loss to Rayo Vallecano.[12]
On 4 December 2017, having already established himself as a regular, Rodri renewed his contract until 2022.[13] He scored his first goal in the Spanish top level on 18 February 2018, the opener in a 1–1 away draw against RCD Espanyol.[14]
Atlético Madrid
On 24 May 2018, Rodri returned to Atlético Madrid after the club reached an agreement with Villarreal for his transfer. He signed a five-year contract with the club,[15] for a fee in the region of €20 million, plus €5 million in variables.[16] He made his debut on 15 August in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup in Tallinn, playing the first 71 minutes of a 4–2 extra-time win over city rivals Real Madrid.[17]
Manchester City
2019–20 season: First season in England
On 3 July 2019, Manchester City met the terms of Rodri's £62.6 million release clause, enabling him to buy out the remainder of his contract with Atlético and leave the club. The transfer was a new record fee paid by Manchester City.[18][19] He signed a five-year contract.[20]
Rodri made his debut in the 2019 FA Community Shield on 4 August at Wembley Stadium, playing the full 90 minutes as City won on penalties against Liverpool after a 1–1 draw.[21] He made his Premier League debut against West Ham United six days later in a 5–0 away win,[22] and on 14 September he scored his first goal in a 3–2 away defeat against Norwich City.[23]
It was announced in October 2019 that Rodri would be out for a month due to a hamstring injury.[24] On 1 March 2020, City won the EFL Cup at Wembley Stadium for the third consecutive time, beating Aston Villa 2–1 in the final. Rodri headed in City's second goal from a corner, which ultimately turned out to be the winner.[25]
2020–present: Further domestic success and continental treble
_-_53075487835_(Rodri)_(cropped).jpg)
On 13 February 2021, Rodri scored City's first goal from a penalty in a 3–0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur.[26] Over the course of the 2021–22 domestic campaign, Rodri had the highest pass completion rate of any midfielder in the Premier League, with 91.8% successful passes per 90 mins, and had proved to be integral to City's title win.[27]
On 12 July 2022, Rodri agreed to extend his contract with Manchester City until 2027.[28] On 11 April 2023, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 3–0 home win over Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals first leg.[29] On 10 June, he scored the only goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, securing City's win for their first title in the competition, and completing the continental treble.[30] Rodri was named man of the match,[31] and was selected as the tournament's Player of the Season.[32]
On 23 September 2023, he was sent off in a Premier League match against Nottingham Forest for lashing out at Morgan Gibbs-White following a tussle, which sparked a melee. This was Rodri's first red card in the Premier League.[33] City went on to lose each of the three subsequent games for which he was suspended.[citation needed]
International career
After playing for Spain at under-16, under-19 and under-21 levels, Rodri was first selected by the full side on 16 March 2018 for two friendlies with Germany and Argentina.[34] He made his debut five days later, replacing Thiago Alcântara late in the 1–1 draw against Germany in Düsseldorf.[35]
Rodri was included in Luis Enrique's 24-man squad for UEFA Euro 2020.[36] He made a substitute appearance in Spain's semi-final match against eventual Champions Italy; following a 1–1 draw after extra-time, Spain were eliminated from the tournament on penalties.[37] Later that year, Rodri started in Spain's 2–1 defeat against France in the 2021 UEFA Nations League final.[38]
Rodri was included in Spain's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[39]
Rodri started in the 2023 UEFA Nations League final against Croatia; after a goalless draw, Spain won the match on penalties, with Rodri converting his spot kick. He was named the best player of the tournament.[40][41]
Player profile
Style of play
Rodri is a physically strong and tall player. His physique helps him to frequently win tackles, challenges on opponent players, as well as aerial duels. He has a 73% success rate at tackles on opponent players,[42] and has won 100% of his aerial duels in the 2022–23 season, according to Squawka. He averages a passing accuracy of 91–92%.[42]
Rodri is further known for his versatility and tactical intelligence.[43][44][45] He is known for his contributions to his team's build-up play.[46][47] Often used as an anchor, or water carrier, his primary role is to win back possession in midfield and distribute the ball to start counterattacks.[44][45][47] His ability to maintain possession under pressure allows him to perform this role effectively.[44][48]
In addition to his defensive abilities, Rodri also possesses accurate passing and vision, allowing him to operate as a deep-lying playmaker from the heart of the midfield.[44][45][47] In the 2023–24 season, he was involved in more sequences of play than any other player in his team or in the Premier League.[47] He is also known for his ability to set the tempo of the game.[44][45][49]
Besides his regular position of a holding midfielder, he has occasionally been used as a ball-playing centre back, in particular by national team manager Luis Enrique during the 2022 World Cup.[50]
During his Manchester City tenure, he also worked to improve his goalscoring, and became known for his long-range shooting, which resulted in several goals, such as his match–winning goal from outside the box against Inter in 2023 UEFA Champions League Final.[51][52][53][54] Despite not being particularly renowned for his pace, he has been credited by pundits for his ability to catch up with much faster attackers in midfield.[44][55][56]
Reception
Many pundits currently consider Rodri to be one of the best defensive midfielders in world football.[57][58][59][60] In January 2024, members of the ESPN FC staff debated whether Rodri was in fact that best player in the world at the moment.[61][62] In March 2024, his Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described him as "the best midfield player, currently, in the world by far."[63] That same month, The New York Times rated him as the best player in the Premier League,[64] while former defender Rio Ferdinand believed that Rodri was already arguably the best defensive midfielder in the league's history.[65]
Personal life
Rodri studied at university for four years to gain a degree in business administration and management.[66] At university he met his longterm girlfriend Laura, who was studying medicine.[67]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 28 April 2024
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Villarreal B | 2014–15[68] | Segunda División B | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||||
| 2015–16[69] | Segunda División B | 32 | 1 | — | — | — | 2[c] | 1 | 34 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 39 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 41 | 2 | |||||
| Villarreal | 2015–16[69] | La Liga | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17[70] | La Liga | 23 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 4[d] | 1 | — | 31 | 1 | |||
| 2017–18[71] | La Liga | 37 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — | 6[d] | 0 | — | 47 | 1 | |||
| Total | 63 | 1 | 11 | 0 | — | 10 | 1 | — | 84 | 2 | ||||
| Atlético Madrid | 2018–19[72] | La Liga | 34 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — | 8[e] | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 47 | 3 | |
| Manchester City | 2019–20[73] | Premier League | 35 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 8[e] | 0 | 1[g] | 0 | 52 | 4 |
| 2020–21[74] | Premier League | 34 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10[e] | 0 | — | 53 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22[75] | Premier League | 33 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10[e] | 0 | 1[g] | 0 | 46 | 7 | |
| 2022–23[76] | Premier League | 36 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12[e] | 2 | 1[g] | 0 | 56 | 4 | |
| 2023–24[77] | Premier League | 30 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8[e] | 1 | 4[h] | 0 | 45 | 8 | |
| Total | 168 | 21 | 17 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 48 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 252 | 25 | ||
| Career total | 304 | 26 | 32 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 66 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 424 | 32 | ||
International
- As of match played 26 March 2024[5]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 2018 | 4 | 0 |
| 2019 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 1 | 2 | |
| Total | 49 | 3 | |
- As of match played 26 March 2024
- Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Rodri goal[5]
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 November 2020 | Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain | 17 |  Germany | 3–0 | 6–0 | 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A | [78] |
| 2 | 26 March 2024 | Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain | 49 |  Brazil | 1–0 | 3–3 | Friendly | [79] |
| 3 | 3–2 |
Honours
Atlético Madrid
Manchester City
- Premier League: 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23[1]
- FA Cup: 2022–23[80]
- EFL Cup: 2019–20,[81] 2020–21[82]
- FA Community Shield: 2019[21]
- UEFA Champions League: 2022–23;[83] runner-up: 2020–21[84]
- UEFA Super Cup: 2023[85]
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2023[86]
Spain U19
Spain U21
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2017[88][89]
Spain
- UEFA Nations League: 2022–23;[40] runner-up: 2020–21[38]
Individual
- UEFA Champions League Player of the Season: 2022–23[32]
- UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2022–23[90]
- Premier League Goal of the Month: November 2021[91]
- UEFA Nations League Finals Player of the Tournament: 2023[41]
- PFA Team of the Year: 2022–23 Premier League[92]
- FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2023[93]
References
External links
