Rodri, voted the best player in the world, talks to AS about a magical year.
Football is such a sport of ups and downs that you can suffer the sport's most serious injury and win the Ballon d'Or a few days later. That's exactly what happened to Rodrigo Hernández (Madrid, 1996), the best player in the world last season and a key player for both City and the national team, until a cruciate ligament rupture shortly after the start of the Premier League disrupted his plans.
More relaxed, already in the process of recovery after undergoing surgery a few months ago, Rodri spoke to AS to toast the best year of his career and outline his return to the pitch.
Last year we talked about what you expected from 2024 and that didn't go badly… what do you expect from 2025?
Right now my obsession is to recover well. I think that if someone has a long-term injury, he or she wants to give their body the opportunity to get back to its best and especially to get back to a good level. That's what my goal is: to be fit and not have any problems.
The year between the European Championship, the Ballon d'Or and the injury, which is clearly very difficult, has mixed the best and the worst for a footballer, hasn't it?
Yes. I think if we look at it in general terms, it's been a crazy year. Obviously winning the European Championship with Spain was the best thing for me; also with my club, City, to always be in contention for titles. We won the Premier League, the fourth, which was a historic title because of what it meant to win four in a row. And then of course there is the Ballon d'Or. But I have also experienced a negative side – the injury – which is part of an athlete's career and which, to be honest, I can deal with quite well. It was a wonderful year for me.
What do you think when you see the Ballon d'Or in your home?
I see it in people and we panic, to be honest, in the sense of 'look at us!' because you never think you can achieve it. But it's true that once you're there, in the conversation, and once you realize you're at the level to fight for it, you think, 'Why not?' It takes effort and hard work and things have to go well at team level to win, just like at individual level. I can only be proud of what I have done all these years.
It has been 64 years since a Spanish player won.
It is clear that Spanish football was entitled to that and I think my Ballon d'Or partly pays for that. I am very happy with it. It had been so long since there had been no Spanish Ballon d'Or that it became important. Now we finally have our second one and I think there is potential to achieve more in the coming years.
In 2025 perhaps? There are very strong players in Spain.
Yes, I hope so. I think there are great players from different countries and we really have players who can strive to win; There is a generation that pushes hard. It is important not to get carried away, because ultimately being named the best player in the world depends on many things. Putting those expectations or that weight on the shoulders of players is not good, although with our talent I am sure that a Spaniard can win it.
You spoke openly about Lamine during your speech in Paris.
Yeah, I put a little pressure on him (laughs). For me, I think he has everything it takes to win. I don't know when he will get the win, now or in the future, but I am convinced he has the potential to get the win.
How do you feel about the love you receive from the people of Manchester?
It's amazing. I was talking to Kovacic about it: he has been to Ballon d'Or celebrations in Madrid, but he told me he had never seen anything like it. Few places treat players like City. I will be forever grateful for what they did.
Have you spoken to anyone who has suffered the same injury and received any advice? There were players like Canales or Asenjo who suffered from it several times.
Yes, Asensio. I remember calling him and asking him a little bit. He is from my generation, I have experienced a lot with him. Something similar happened to Marco: I asked him for advice and he gave me a lot of peace. He also took it very calmly. That is in every person, in his character, but he gave me his feedback and that is always positive, because it radiates calmness.
Do you see yourself winning a title this season?
First of all, I want to recover and come back well. After that I want to try to get back to the level I was at. And finally, of course, I want to keep winning.
Are you afraid of not returning to the same level as before?
No, I'm not afraid. I know the player that I am. I know that these types of injuries today are not the same as they were thirty years ago. Furthermore, the medical staff has given me infinite peace of mind in that I don't have to worry that I can come back without anything that will weigh me down. But when you're 6, 7, or 8 months away from the playing field, getting back on track isn't easy. Little by little, I think.
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