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After recovering from a serious ACL injury almost two years ago, Spanish midfielder Rodri has been able to make a huge impact as La Roja looks to win its first World Cup since 2010.
Having suffered a similar injury during his career, FOX Sports football analyst Zlatan Ibrahimović praised Rodri’s remarkable comeback from his injury.
“He’s a player who doesn’t get a lot of credit, who goes unnoticed, but [he] won the Ballon d’Or, which is not normal for the position he holds,” Ibrahimović said after Spain’s semi-final victory over France.
Ibrahimović continued to compliment Rodri’s skills, saying he not only “set the players around him on fire”, but could also “put out fires” with his multi-faceted leadership abilities on the pitch.
In 2024, Rodri ruptured his ACL while playing for Manchester City, undergoing surgery which saw him miss Spain’s Euro 2024 title. He then made his competitive return in May 2025, receiving a standing ovation as an 85th-minute substitute in City’s 3–1 win over Bournemouth.
During this World Cup, Rodri started every match and played almost every minute, missing only three throughout the tournament. With that kind of consistency and health, it’s safe to say that Rodri is back and ready to compete at the highest level.
