Born on June 22, 1996, Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, commonly known as Rodri, is a highly regarded Spanish professional footballer renowned for his role as a defensive midfielder. Currently plying his trade for the Premier League club Manchester City and representing the Spain national team, Rodri has earned acclaim as one of the world’s premier defensive midfielders.
Acknowledged for his exceptional defensive and offensive positioning, adept tackling, precise passing, and ball control, Rodri has become a pivotal figure on the field. Having transitioned from being a youth international, he made his debut for the senior Spanish national team in 2018. His international journey includes notable appearances at UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In 2023, Rodri achieved further acclaim by contributing to Spain’s triumph in the UEFA Nations League, earning recognition as the best player of the finals tournament. His multifaceted skills and consistent performance have solidified his status as a key player both at the club and international levels.
Early Life of Rodri
Rodri began his football journey by joining Atlético Madrid’s youth setup at the age of 11 in 2007, transitioning from CF Rayo Majadahonda. However, in 2013, he was released due to a perceived “lack of physical strength,” leading him to sign with Villarreal CF.
Rodri’s early breakthrough came on February 7, 2015, when, still a junior, he made his senior debut for Villarreal CF’s reserves, contributing as a late substitute in a 3–1 victory against RCD Espanyol B in the Segunda División B. Just 15 days later, he earned his first start in a 2–0 triumph over Real Zaragoza B.
The midfielder’s first-team debut occurred on December 17, 2015, as he started in a 2–0 home victory against SD Huesca in that season’s Copa del Rey. His La Liga debut followed on April 17, 2016, entering as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 away loss to Rayo Vallecano.
Rodri’s consistent performances earned him a contract extension until 2022 on December 4, 2017. He marked his presence in La Liga with his inaugural goal on February 18, 2018, scoring the opener in a 1–1 away draw against RCD Espanyol.
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Clubs: The Footballing Journey
Atlético Madrid
Rodri made a significant move in his football career on May 24, 2018, as he returned to Atlético Madrid. The club reached an agreement with Villarreal for his transfer, and Rodri signed a lucrative five-year contract with the Madrid side. The transfer involved a fee in the approximate range of €20 million, with an additional €5 million in variables.
His debut for Atlético Madrid took place on August 15, 2018, in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup held in Tallinn. During this match, he played a key role, participating for the first 71 minutes in a thrilling encounter that saw Atlético Madrid emerge victorious with a 4–2 extra-time win over their city rivals, Real Madrid.
Manchester City
In the 2019–20 season, Rodri made a significant move to Manchester City. The club successfully met the terms of his £62.6 million release clause on July 3, 2019, allowing him to buy out the remaining duration of his contract with Atlético Madrid. This transfer marked a new record fee paid by Manchester City, and Rodri committed to a five-year contract.
His debut for Manchester City took place in the 2019 FA Community Shield on August 4 at Wembley Stadium. During this match, he played the entire 90 minutes as City secured victory on penalties against Liverpool after a 1–1 draw. Rodri also made his Premier League debut against West Ham United six days later, contributing to a 5–0 away win. On September 14, he scored his first goal for Manchester City in a 3–2 away defeat against Norwich City.
However, in October 2019, Rodri faced a setback as it was announced that he would be sidelined for a month due to a hamstring injury. Despite this, he played a pivotal role in City’s success, particularly in the EFL Cup final on March 1, 2020, at Wembley Stadium. City emerged victorious, securing their third consecutive EFL Cup title by defeating Aston Villa 2–1, with Rodri scoring the decisive goal from a corner. Rodri’s jersey number is 16.
2020 and Beyond
From 2020 onwards, Rodri has been a key figure in Manchester City’s continued success. Notably, on February 13, 2021, he scored City’s opening goal from a penalty in a convincing 3–0 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Throughout the 2021–22 domestic season, Rodri displayed exceptional passing accuracy, leading all midfielders in the Premier League with a remarkable 91.8% success rate per 90 minutes. His significant contributions played a vital role in Manchester City securing the league title.
In a demonstration of commitment, Rodri extended his contract with Manchester City until 2027 on July 12, 2022. His impact in European competition became evident on April 11, 2023, when he scored his inaugural Champions League goal during a 3–0 triumph over Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals’ first leg at the Etihad Stadium.
The pinnacle of Rodri’s achievements came on June 10, as he netted the solitary goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan. This secured Manchester City’s historic first-ever European Cup victory, completing a remarkable continental treble. Notably, Rodri was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance.
However, the narrative took a turn on September 23, 2023, when Rodri received his first red card in the Premier League during a match against Nottingham Forest. The incident, involving an altercation with Morgan Gibbs-White, led to a suspension, during which City faced three consecutive losses.
Rodri and His Family
Rodri maintains a reserved approach regarding details about his parents and siblings, keeping such information private. His family members, including his father and mother, remain largely undisclosed. Similarly, specific personal details about Rodri’s siblings are not publicly available.
In terms of his personal life, Rodri is presently in a relationship with a woman named Laura (Rodri’s Wife). Their connection dates back to their university days in Spain, though the exact timeline of their relationship becoming romantic remains unclear. The Manchester City star is known for safeguarding his private life, and as of now, there is no information indicating that Rodri and Laura have children together.
Net Worth of Rodri
Renowned for his adept ball-winning abilities, skilled dribbling techniques, and precise long-range passes, Rodri has consistently served as a key starter for Manchester City, contributing significantly to their Premier League triumphs in 2021 and 2022.
The estimated net worth of Rodri stands at approximately $20 million, encompassing earnings from his professional football career and various endorsement deals. His annual income from the contract with Manchester City amounts to $7.5 million. Additionally, Rodri enjoys a sponsorship with Nike, being an endorsed player who sports Nike Phantom GT2 boots.
Rodri Injury Update
Rodri has no injury concerns as of now.
Career and Stats:
Club:
Club | Season | Apps | Goals |
Villarreal B | 2014-15 | 7 | 0 |
2015-16 | 34 | 2 | |
Villarreal | 2015-16 | 6 | 0 |
2016-17 | 31 | 1 | |
2017–18 | 47 | 1 | |
Atlético Madrid | 2018–19 | 47 | 3 |
Manchester City | 2019–20 | 52 | 4 |
2020–21 | 53 | 2 | |
2021–22 | 46 | 7 | |
2022–23 | 56 | 4 | |
2023–24 | 15 | 4 | |
Total | 394 | 28 |
International:
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
Spain | 2018 | 4 | 0 |
2019 | 7 | 0 | |
2020 | 6 | 1 | |
2021 | 13 | 0 | |
2022 | 9 | 0 | |
2023 | 8 | 0 | |
2024 | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 48 | 1 |
Rodri has garnered an impressive collection of honors throughout his football career. Notable achievements include UEFA Super Cup triumph with Atlético Madrid in 2018. As a pivotal part of Manchester City, he secured consecutive Premier League titles in 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23, adding FA Cup (2022-23) and EFL Cup victories (2019-20, 2020-21) to his accolades. His success extends to the UEFA Champions League, clinching the title in 2022-23 and reaching the final in 2020-21.
Individually, Rodri has been recognized as the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season (2022-23) and earned a spot in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season (2022-23). His remarkable performances also earned him distinctions like the Premier League Goal of the Month (November 2021) and a place in the PFA Team of the Year (2022-23 Premier League). Additionally, he played a pivotal role in Spain’s UEFA Nations League victory in 2022-23.