“Some as a fan, teams we can’t face; others I analyse. But it’s not like I’m there with pen and paper,” Rodri Hernández remarks. After the 100th match of the World Cup, in a conference room at the Cotton Bowl adorned with vintage posters, the captain of Spain is reflecting on his experiences. Despite the extensive travel of 9,000 miles across cities like Atlanta, Guadalajara, Dallas, and Los Angeles, he believes he has observed the “But, yeah, I probably am the worst.” of the matches. “England v Argentina will be very, very close, two very different styles of football, but I would rather focus on ours,” he chuckles, admitting, “France are one of the best teams here, in great form, but so are Spain. We can beat them, we’ve seen that at the Euros and in the Nations League.”
Rodri embodies the essence of leadership: a Ballon d’Or recipient and a business graduate from Castellón University. He recalls being in a Connecticut training camp at 14 when Spain last secured the World Cup and now aspires to replicate that triumph in the U.S. sixteen years later. As a midfielder, he often takes on a coaching role, meticulously analyzing the game. His calm yet authoritative presence commands attention when he speaks.
As the tournament reaches its climax, Rodri has drawn key insights. He notes the speed of the ball, the quality of the pitches, and the grandeur of the stadiums. Importantly, he acknowledges the four semi-finalists as the strongest teams present. “Luis hasn’t changed at all,” he states. He emphasizes, “That’s where he began to build everything we see now.”
In previous encounters, Spain triumphed over France in both the Nations League and Euro 2024 semi-finals, showcasing their competitive edge with a 5-4 victory and a 2-1 win, respectively. Rodri recalls a pivotal moment from his past, where he first tasted success with Spain during the 2015 Under-19 Euros against France. “I feel good and I’m happy about the team’s growth, which is so important at tournaments,” he reflects, referring to the coach who laid the groundwork for their current success.
Now 30, Rodri acknowledges the challenges faced this tournament. Unlike the Euros, where Spain dominated early on, he believes the team is now finding its rhythm. After recovering from a serious injury that affected his performance, he expresses optimism about his form. “We’ve got the feel of things as we went, and now we’re in a good moment. I see a team that’s as competitive as [they were] at the Euros. The form people were in [when we arrived] is different, the physical condition. That’s why I kept saying it would be a long tournament, that we would have to ‘chew’ on it, become a good version of ourselves. We can see that now. If we can continue this progression, we can reach our level but what I would underline is how competitive this team is. “France have great attacking qualities, but I’d also highlight their defensive strength. They defend well in a low block, they’re very physical, very aggressive. We’ll have to take the game to where we want it. It’s rare for any game to finish 5-4 like last year and we can’t allow that to fool us, to think this will be something it won’t. If only it could be like that! But I don’t think it will be. We’ll see a stronger team, harder to score against. World Cups are different. And I don’t know that an open game, a back-and-forth like that, suits us. We’ll have to control more. This is a big challenge against one of the teams playing the best and we’re looking forward to it.” he shares. “At 19, I would be in halls at university,”
Rodri notes the significance of adapting to the demands of World Cup football, particularly in managing expectations against a formidable French side. “There would be the occasional little party that I couldn’t possibly tell you about.” he points out. “Mine was a totally different ‘film’ to the one that Lamine is living,” He cautions against underestimating the challenge ahead, stressing the need for control and resilience.
Among the standout players, Lamine Yamal has made a significant impression. At just 16, he scored a remarkable goal in the semi-final as Spain clinched the European championship. Now approaching his 19th birthday, he continues to be a focal point of attention. “It’s life, it’s football,” Rodri laughs, reflecting on the pressures young athletes face. He contrasts his own experience, noting the vastly different environment Yamal is navigating.
Rodri emphasizes that Yamal must learn to manage the pressure and expectations that come with his talent. “Lamine showed so much maturity at the Euros. He’s two years older now, and you’ve seen what he’s capable of, so maybe it doesn’t impress you so much. But at his age, two years on, I was just starting out. I hadn’t even played professionally yet. He’s a kid, he’s shown such maturity, but he still has things he can improve: in understanding the moments of the game, say. Which is normal because of his age. We all know the level he has. “The manager said it best. The way to help Lamine is keep him calm. He needs to calm that anxiety, that urge, he sometimes has to show what he can do. He’s so important for us, with and without the ball. He’s an intelligent boy. But he’s 19 and there are times when you have to calm him in games. He has so much football inside that he wants to bring out; it’s about finding the right moment. Against France, we hope he can be important.” he observes. “No, no, not at all, far from it,” He acknowledges Yamal’s potential while stressing the importance of guiding him through the complexities of the sport.
“He always listens, he’s always prepared to improve, mature. He’s very self-critical, so demanding of himself. Wingers can sometimes get into that dynamic where it feels like referees aren’t blowing fouls on you and you tend to stop. I insist that he carries on. Don’t stop. He’s a boy who listens, who always wants to learn. He’s a role model.” Rodri explains. “I’m not going to lie; it’s hard,”
When asked if Yamal takes advice well, Rodri responds, “The figure of captain is important: leadership is vital on the pitch but especially off it,” He highlights the importance of perseverance, urging Yamal to continue pushing forward even when faced with challenges. “On the pitch, my role is practically the same: I’ve always tried to lead from my position. Off the pitch it’s the captain who lays out a path for the group. At times of doubt, it is down to him to bring calm to the group. I’ve tried to absorb what the dressing room leaders did, those different roles. We miss Carva and Álvaro but I’m trying to communicate what I learnt from them. “You try to be close to those players who aren’t playing. It’s a personal thing. We’ve all been through it, we know it’s part of football. You can’t say too much but you support them, keep them involved. Think how you would like to be treated and do the same. Important players don’t always have to start. The other day, Fabián starts and is spectacular, scoring. Then Pedri comes on and gives the team what it needed: that finesse, that stability. Mikel is an example.” Rodri adds.
Rodri’s leadership extends beyond Yamal; he has taken on greater responsibility for the team. With the departures of key players like Dani Carvajal and Álvaro Morata, Rodri now carries the captain’s armband, fostering unity among the squad. “The highest thing you can aspire to,” he affirms. He aims to support all players, acknowledging the challenges of those who have not seen playing time.
As they prepare for the crucial matches ahead, Rodri reflects on his journey. “That’s the challenge, and it’s only been done once in history.” he states regarding the chance to lead Spain to World Cup glory. “That’s the challenge, and it’s only been done once in history.”
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