Manchester City’s Rodri Hernández was born on June 22, 1996, in Madrid, Spain, before growing into one of world football’s top midfielders. Throughout his path from Atlético Madrid’s junior team to international football stardom, Rodri demonstrated his remarkable skill and dedication. Moreover, his ability to adapt.
Club Success with Manchester City
In 2019, Manchester City acquired Rodri to kickstart a new chapter in his career. At City, he would be tutored by Pep Guardiola, who was now tasked with helping Rodri mature into the backbone of the midfield. This is how the magic of their domestic success is performed: tactical thinking and ball recovery alongside the character with which he is thinking to himself.
Rodri brought the roof down with the winner in a historic match for City, who got their first-ever Champions League trophy with a victory over Inter Milan. It crowned him as the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season following a remarkable season.
He played all through the 2023-24 season remarkably well for Manchester City as they went on to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title. During the season 2022-23 through to 2023-24, the PFA included him in the Premier League Team of the Year because of his impressive consistency in performances.
International Glory with Spain
During international competitions, Rodri plays a major role in leading Spain. Rodri led Spain to their UEFA Euro 2024 championship victory, earning the top honor as Player of the Tournament. In addition to his team captaincy during Spain’s UEFA Nations League win, Rodri demonstrated his ability to lead with excellence in the midfield position.
Individual Accolades
Rodri’s outstanding on-field performances have received widespread appreciation from fans and experts. In October 2024, the Ballon d’Or jury selected Rodri to be their winner, making him both the first defensive midfield player since 1990 and the third Spanish player to achieve the honor. The recognition validated the increased awareness about accomplished midfield controllers who establish game speed. Other notable individual awards include:
- Player of the Season award from UEFA Champions League during the 2022–23 competition (2023)
- During the UEFA Nations League Finals in 2023, Rodri received recognition as the tournament’s best performer.
- Rodri earned the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball during the 2023 tournament.
- IFFHS World’s Best Player (2024)
The UEFA European Championship will bestow its 2024 Player of the Tournament title during the tournament.
Career Statistics (as of May 2025)
Here is a look at his statistics:
- Club Appearances: Over 200 matches for Manchester City
- International Caps: 57 appearances for Spain
- Goals: 4 goals for Spain
- Assists: Over 30 assists for Manchester City
Lifestyle & Personal Life
Rodri anchors his life with disciplined actions when he steps away from football competitions. Through it all, he has chosen to live with quiet dignity despite reaching tremendous success. He chose to live in university student halls to study Business Studies and Economics, despite shocking fans with his decision since he was already a professional footballer. Rodri finds ongoing support while playing his life together with his medical student partner, Laura Iglesias. The couple lives a private life outside of publicity to honor Rodri’s desire for a simple life.
Looking Ahead
Rodri has demonstrated through his professional growth that he hasn’t yet reached his highest potential. Through his capabilities as an engineer and strong leadership skills, along with deep tactical knowledge, he remains on track to steer matches in professional competitions at their highest tier. Both fans and media experts eagerly wait for Rodri’s return to action following his recent ACL repair surgery.
The football world’s emphasis on flashy forwards and high-profile transfers helps us understand that midfield orchestrators like Rodri remain vital to the sport. Throughout his path from Madrid’s youth academy to worldwide recognition, he demonstrates how commitment combined with selflessness and persistent dedication creates success.
