Football is simple for complete midfielder Rodri
This analysis piece from The Hindu examines why Spanish midfielder Rodri won the Golden Ball award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite not scoring a single goal or assist. The article argues that Rodri's defensive midfield mastery—highlighted by a record 26 tackles and 790 passes—was more impactful than the flashier statistics of Lionel Messi (8 goals, 4 assists) or Kylian Mbappe (10 goals, 4 assists). Rodri captained Spain to their second world crown, conceding only one goal in the tournament. The piece notes Rodri is the first outfield player to win the Best Player award without a goal or assist, and details his unprecedented trophy collection including World Cup, Euro, Champions League, Premier League, and Ballon d'Or. It also mentions the upcoming Ballon d'Or race where Harry Kane's 73 goals challenge Rodri's championship credentials.
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