Rodri One Win Away From Joining Messi, Zidane In Football's Most Exclusive Club

Published 16 July 2026 · sports

Rodri One Win Away From Joining Messi, Zidane In Football's Most Exclusive Club Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 20:53 IST Rodri is one

Rodri One Win Away From Joining Messi, Zidane In Football's Most Exclusive Club Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 20:53 IST Rodri is one win away from joining Messi, Zidane and Ronaldinho in football's most exclusive club. Rapid Read Spain's Rodri eyes history (AP) Rodri is just 90 minutes away from “completing football." If Spain defeat Argentina in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, the Manchester City midfielder will become only the 11th player in history to win the World Cup, UEFA Champions League and Ballon d’Or—arguably the sport’s ultimate career treble. The exclusive list currently includes just Sir Bobby Charlton, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Paolo Rossi, Zinedine Zidane, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká, Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembélé. It is football royalty. And Rodri is now on the brink of joining them. One Final Hurdle Spain earned their place in the World Cup final with an emphatic 2-0 victory over tournament favourites France, delivering one of the standout performances of the competition. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring before Pedro Porro sealed the result, but it was Rodri who once again dictated the game from midfield.

The Spain captain orchestrated possession, broke up attacks and helped completely neutralise Kylian Mbappe and France’s star-studded frontline as Luis de la Fuente’s side marched into just their second World Cup final. Now only Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina stand between Rodri and football immortality. “One Final Step Left" Despite the growing hype surrounding Spain, Rodri insists nobody inside the dressing room is getting carried away. “We’re going step by step, and there’s one final step left," Rodri said. “The team is euphoric. It’s only the second World Cup final in our history. You have to enjoy it, and now it’s time to rest and prepare for a game that will be extremely difficult." That measured approach has become Spain’s defining characteristic throughout the tournament. No Shortcuts To Greatness Rodri also dismissed any suggestion that Spain’s path to the trophy will be straightforward, despite their dominant displays so far. “If anyone thinks we are going to win a World Cup without suffering, they are wrong," he said via Marca. “They are the best teams in the world, but the team has shown a very important maturity during this tournament.

“The team continues to grow in the tournament. We have had patience during the World Cup and now we are going for the title." The message inside Spain’s camp has remained unchanged from day one. “I’m here to win the World Cup." On Sunday at MetLife Stadium, Rodri has the chance to do exactly that. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Will Rodri achieve this historic treble in the final? I cannot predict future events. Rodri is one win away from joining an exclusive club of players who have won the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Ballon d'Or. If Spain defeats Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final, Rodri will achieve this treble. How does this achievement compare to other football legends? Rodri is on the verge of joining an elite group of footballers, including Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane, who have won the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Ballon d'Or. If Spain wins the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina, Rodri will achieve this "ultimate career treble".