“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, sitting in a conference room at the Cotton Bowl, surrounded by vintage posters. It’s the day after the World Cup’s centenary match, and Spain is gearing up for their next training session. Despite the extensive travel totaling 9,000 miles from Atlanta to Guadalajara, Dallas, and Los Angeles, he claims to have viewed the “But, yeah, I probably am the worst.” of matches played. “England v Argentina will be very, very close, two very different styles of football, but I would rather focus on ours,” he laughs, adding, “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.”
This is Rodri in his element: a Ballon d’Or winner and a business graduate from Castellón University. He recalls being just 14 years old at a camp in the Connecticut woods when Spain last clinched the World Cup, and now as captain, he aims to replicate that triumph in the U.S. sixteen years later. As a midfielder, he often takes on a coaching role, meticulously analyzing every aspect of the game. He embodies the calm, authoritative figure that his teammates respect and heed.
With a century of matches behind them, Rodri reflects on the tournament’s intensity. “Luis hasn’t changed at all,” he notes. He expresses confidence in Spain’s capabilities, emphasizing, “That’s where he began to build everything we see now.”
Spain has previously triumphed over France in significant matches, including a thrilling 5-4 victory in the Nations League semi-final last summer, where Spain led 5-1 with just 11 minutes remaining. Additionally, they achieved a 2-1 win during Euro 2024. The positive history continues for Rodri, who recalls his first triumph with Spain came in the 2015 Under-19 Euros, where they also defeated France in the semi-finals. “I feel good and I’m happy about the team’s growth, which is so important at tournaments,” he mentions about their coach, reflecting on the foundation laid back then.
Now 30 years old, Rodri acknowledges the challenges he has faced during this season and tournament. Unlike the previous Euros, where Spain dominated from the outset, he believes that the team is peaking at the right moment. Following a serious injury that sidelined him during the Euros final, he has gradually regained 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 states. “At 19, I would be in halls at university,”
He praises the competitiveness of the team, stating, “There would be the occasional little party that I couldn’t possibly tell you about.” He recognizes France’s formidable qualities, saying, “Mine was a totally different ‘film’ to the one that Lamine is living,” He stresses the need for Spain to take control of the game, cautioning against the misconceptions created by last year’s high-scoring match. “It’s life, it’s football,” he warns.
Among the standout players is Lamine Yamal, who made headlines last summer when he scored a remarkable goal in the semi-final, helping Spain secure the European championship. Now approaching his 19th birthday, Yamal’s impact has been less pronounced in this tournament. Rodri reflects on the pressure young players face, comparing their journeys. “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 chuckles, highlighting the disparity in their experiences.
Rodri notes the maturity Yamal displayed during the Euros, recognizing the challenges he must navigate. “No, no, not at all, far from it,” Rodri explains. He emphasizes the importance of guiding Yamal, stating, “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.”
On the topic of whether Yamal listens to guidance, Rodri is reassuring. “I’m not going to lie; it’s hard,” he asserts. “The figure of captain is important: leadership is vital on the pitch but especially off it,” He admires Yamal’s self-criticism and determination to grow, noting how he encourages him to maintain his focus during matches.
Rodri’s leadership extends beyond just Yamal; he has taken on a greater responsibility within the team. “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 Alvaro 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.” he asserts. He aims to unify the squad, understanding that not all players will see the field during every match. “The highest thing you can aspire to,” he explains, acknowledging the complexities of managing a diverse group.
As Spain approaches the next phase of the tournament, Rodri feels the weight of expectations. “That’s the challenge, and it’s only been done once in history.” he states regarding the prospect of winning the World Cup as captain. “That’s the challenge, and it’s only been done once in history.”
