Manchester City midfielder Rodri has officially entered one of football’s most exclusive clubs.
After captaining Spain to a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, the 30-year-old
became just the 11th men’s player in history to ‘complete football’ — meaning, to win the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League and Ballon d’Or.
But even more impressive is the fact that Rodri became just the fourth player to win the Ballon d’Or, the WC, the CL and the Golden Ball — an even more exclusive club.
Barcelona forward Ferran Torres proved the match-winner, converting Nico Williams’ headed knockdown in extra time to hand La Roja their second-ever World Cup title. But throughout the tournament, Rodri was the heartbeat of Spain’s success.
Rodri may not have scored during the World Cup, but his calm distribution, positional intelligence and ability to dictate possession once again proved priceless. The midfielder completed more passes, covered more distance and recorded more player involvements than any other player at the tournament.
Joining Football’s Greatest Names
Rodri’s latest triumph completes an extraordinary collection of honours.
He lifted the Ballon d’Or in 2024 after inspiring Manchester City to a record fourth consecutive Premier League title while also helping Spain win Euro 2024. That individual honour came just a year after he scored the winning goal in City’s historic 2023 UEFA Champions League final victory over Inter Milan, sealing the club’s famous Treble.
His World Cup success now places him alongside legends such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Paolo Rossi, Zinedine Zidane, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká, Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembélé as the only players to complete football’s ultimate treble.
And in even more impressive fashion, it places him among the likes of Rossi, Zidane and Messi himself, as the only players to have achieved the even rarer quadruple.
Golden Ball Caps Unreal Comeback
Rodri’s influence earned him another individual honour as he was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
He edged out Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who had been chasing a record-extending third Golden Ball after leading the defending champions back to another final at the age of 39. Messi collected the Silver Ball, while France’s Kylian Mbappé received the Bronze Ball.
Less than two years after suffering a devastating ACL injury, Rodri has returned to the pinnacle of world football.
