Rodri lifted the World Cup after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the final in New Jersey, adding the sport's biggest prize to a trophy cabinet that already includes the Ballon d'Or, European and Nations League titles, four Premier League crowns and the Champions League. The Manchester City midfielder, who captained the side and was named player of the tournament, becomes only the fourth men's player in history to win the World Cup, Euros, Champions League and Ballon d'Or, joining Gerd Muller, Franz Beckenbauer and Zinedine Zidane, capping a remarkable comeback from the anterior cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for much of the previous season.

Rodri's influence was reflected in the numbers: he completed 756 passes across Spain's eight-match campaign, the most in a single World Cup since 1966, while also topping the metrics for touches, passes into the opposition half and line-breaking passes. In the final itself he completed 101 passes, one of only three instances since 1966 of a player reaching triple figures in a World Cup final. With his Manchester City contract having just one year left and reported interest from Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho, questions now surround the 30-year-old's next move, though City boss Enzo Maresca is said to be reluctant to let him leave.