Rodri has established himself as a pivotal defensive midfielder, consistently delivering top-tier performances for both club and country. After making his professional debut with Villarreal in December 2015, Rodri quickly established himself as a formidable defensive midfielder. During his three seasons with the Yellow Submarine, he made 84 appearances, demonstrating a strong ability to intercept attacks and initiate play with precise passing. His exceptional performances led to a return to Atletico Madrid in 2018 for a reported fee of £20 million.

At Atletico, Rodri played a pivotal role in the club’s 2018 UEFA Super Cup victory over Real Madrid. He made 47 appearances and scored three goals as Atletico Madrid secured a second-place finish in La Liga during the 2018-2019 season, solidifying his reputation in top-tier European football. Rodri’s consistent, high-level play attracted the attention of Manchester City, who signed him on July 4, 2019. Standing at 6’3′, his exceptional technical ability and tactical understanding quickly became integral to the squad, drawing comparisons to fellow Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets.

In his inaugural 2019-2020 season, he made 52 appearances and scored the winning goal in the Carabao Cup final in March 2020. His influence continued to grow in the 2020-2021 season, where he featured in 53 matches and was instrumental in Manchester City’s Premier League title win. In the 2021-2022 season, Rodri made 46 appearances, scoring seven goals, as he helped City secure the Premier League title for a third consecutive year. The 2022-2023 season marked a historic peak, with Rodri playing a central role in Manchester City’s unprecedented Treble.

This was followed by a career-defining individual accolade when he was named the Men’s Ballon d’Or winner, becoming the first Manchester City player to receive this prestigious award.