Cucurella defends Rodri as deserving of the Ballon d'Or after the World Cup

Cucurella defends Rodri as deserving of the Ballon d'Or after World Cup

According to Soccernews.

Context

Rodri, as captain of the Spanish national team, played a vital role in the 2026 World Cup, being praised for his ability to control the game and organize the team. His performance in the final, where he completed 101 passes, was one of the highlights of the tournament, reinforcing his reputation as one of the best midfielders in world football. Recognition of your contribution by colleagues like Cucurella can influence your career and expectations for the future.

Why this matters

Rodri's performance at the 2026 World Cup was fundamental to Spain's second world title. His performance not only solidified his position as one of the tournament's best players, but also placed him among an elite group of players who have won the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and Ballon d'Or. Cucurella's recognition highlights Rodri's importance to the team and his influence on the game.

Main conclusions

• Cucurella defends Rodri as deserving of the Ballon d'Or after the World Cup.
• Marc Cucurella praises Rodri for his performance at the World Cup, saying he deserves the Ballon d'Or after Spain's triumph over Argentina.
• Rodri deserved Golden Ball after ‘amazing’ World Cup, says Cucurella.

Marc Cucurella, player of the Spanish national team, was full of praise for his teammate Rodri, highlighting his leadership and exceptional performance during the 2026 World Cup. According to him, Rodri was the true deserving of the Ballon d'Or, an award that recognizes the best player in the tournament. In the grand final, Spain won its second world title by beating Argentina 1-0, with a decisive goal from Ferran Torres in extra time. Although Spain started the competition with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, they showed their strength throughout the tournament, conceding just one goal in their entire campaign. Rodri, team captain, stood out as one of the main players, becoming the fourth man in history to win the World Cup, the European Championship, the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or, joining legends such as Gerd Müller, Franz Beckenbauer and Zinedine Zidane. "For us, this is very important," commented Cucurella about Rodri's importance in the team. "Sometimes it's not just about scoring or assisting. He controlled everything. He organized the team. He decides when we press and when we attack. And for us, that's crucial. Whenever we're under pressure, he gives us the opportunity to pass the ball to him. He never loses possession. And I believe he deserves this trophy because he had an incredible tournament." Rodri had an impressive performance, especially in the final. He completed 101 passes, becoming one of the few players to surpass the 100 pass mark in a World Cup final. His contribution was vital for Spain, who produced a solid defensive and effective offensive performance throughout the tournament. In total, Rodri has accumulated 756 successful passes, more than anyone elseplayer, and also stood out in tackles, with 23 attempts, of which 18 were successful. Additionally, he was fourth best in successful duels, tallying 49. With this achievement, Spain joins a select group of just four countries that have managed to win the European Championship and the World Cup consecutively, alongside West Germany (Euro 1972 and World Cup 1974), France (World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000) and Spain itself (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012).

What happens next

With the 2026 World Cup in mind, Rodri and the Spanish team are looking to maintain the form and cohesion acquired during the tournament. The expectation is that Rodri will continue to be a key player for Spain in the next competitions, including the qualifiers for the next international tournament. The focus now will be on preparing for future challenges, where your leadership will be crucial.