Spain captain, Rodri has been speaking on leading La Roja to World Cup glory on Sunday in New York, New Jersey.
The Man City midfielder has endured an injury-hit couple of seasons after damaging knee ligaments in September 2024 but the 30-year-old was named player of the tournament after captaining Spain to victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final.
Reflecting on the challenges he has overcome, Rodri said he hoped to be an inspiration and paid tribute to his own resilience.
“We’re a bit shocked right now, even myself,” Rodri told Fox Sports. “I cannot express with words. I think now we’re like in a cloud but, for me, it’s been a very tough time.
“I just want the new generations to see my example as an opportunity. When you go down, you can rise again. This is my philosophy for my entire life.
“Of course, sometimes things go well, things go wrong, but always the positiveness.
“I said to the lads before the game, ‘we have to go for the game’. We need to face them, we have to look to their eyes. We want this game.
“And then life gives you the World Cup or not, but we were brave and I was brave in that moment I was down, so I want to thank all the people that helped me.
“But I want to thank myself, to be honest, in those moments.”
Rodri has won the World Cup and Euros with Spain, including four Premier League titles with Man City
The 30-year-old received the Golden Ball from Fifa president Gianni Infantino on the field at the MetLife Stadium following the final in New Jersey.
It was the third major individual accolade of his career, having won the Ballon d’Or in 2023 and then Uefa Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament after Spain’s final triumph against England two years ago.
