Back to his best, Rodri has powered Spain to World Cup final - ESPN

DALLAS — If Rodri had looked out of the window of the Spain team bus as it left Dallas Stadium after the World Cup semifinal win over France, he might have seen the roller coasters of the nearby Six Flags theme park in the distance.

In the past three years, the Manchester City midfielder has experienced even more ups and downs.

From scoring in the 2023 Champions League final and winning the Euros with Spain in 2024 (being named the world's best men's player the same year), to then suffering a career-threatening knee ligament injury followed by a number of false starts with his recovery, he has been through more than most players see in a lifetime.

But after rediscovering his form and fitness this summer, he heads into the World Cup final against Argentina on a high. The doubts are gone, and the appreciation is back.

It was in the U.S. a year ago that Rodri had one of his lows. At the FIFA Club World Cup with City — nine months after suffering the knee injury — he showed the first positive signs of recovery with his performance in a 5-2 win over Juventus.

But then came Al Hilal in the next round. Rodri came on in the second half, only to be forced off early in extra time as City crashed out. Pep Guardiola said later that Rodri asked to come off after «complaining about his situation.» The defeat meant City never made it to New York for the Club World Cup final.

Twelve months on, Rodri has been key to Spain reaching the World Cup final in the same stadium Sunday. After beating tournament favorites France in the semis, coach Luis de la Fuente was asked to explain how Spain had been able to be so dominant against a team that boasts some of the best attacking players on the planet. His answer was a long one, but with special