Rodri #16

Profile

Spain’s first Ballon d’Or winner since 1960 arrives at this World Cup with a couple of question marks hanging over him. One is whether he can put to bed doubts over his fitness that have been lingering since he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in September 2024. Muscle injuries have hampered his return to full fitness despite Pep Guardiola’s best efforts at managing his minutes this season. After returning to his best at times for Manchester City, injury problems affected his end to the campaign and it remains to be seen what sort of condition he will be in for the World Cup. If he’s fit, he will start ahead of Martín Zubimendi. But if he’s anything short of 100%, Luis de la Fuente will have a decision to make because of the form of the Arsenal player.

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