Rodri honours Pep Guardiola after Spain’s World Cup final

Midfielder Rodri lifted the Spain World Cup trophy after the 1‑0 victory over Argentina, then paid a classy tribute to former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, thanking the Catalan for his earlier prediction of Rodri’s best performance on the world stage.

Rodri publicly thanked Pep Guardiola after the win, describing the Catalan’s earlier prediction as “characteristic wit and warmth”. Guardiola had predicted during the 2025‑26 season that the tournament would showcase the best of Rodri, a claim that carried weight given the midfielder’s recent struggles.

Rodri suffered a serious knee injury in September 2024, keeping him out for the better part of a year. His absence was felt acutely by Manchester City, who navigated a turbulent final season under Guardiola without their most influential engine‑room figure.

Throughout Spain’s run, the 29‑year‑old produced one of the tournament’s most outstanding individual performances. He controlled matches, won tackles and orchestrated the rhythm of a side that remained unbeaten en route to the final.

Speaking to journalist Manu Gutierrez after the final, Rodri repeated, “Guardiola knows a lot! Listen to him,” a line that captured the depth of their bond. The comment underscored the respect the midfielder holds for his former coach.

Guardiola’s departure from Manchester City at the end of the season ended a celebrated manager‑player partnership, but his unwavering faith in Rodri’s capacity to recover has now been vindicated in the most emphatic manner. The former City boss’s earlier forecast proved accurate as Rodri shone on football’s biggest stage.

Images of Rodri lifting the World Cup trophy in a Spain shirt arrived at a defining moment for Manchester City, which is rebuilding under new manager Enzo Maresca and director of football Hugo Viana. Maresca sees Rodri’s form as proof that the post‑Guardiola project has a world‑class foundation.

Real Madrid interest in the midfielder was reported during the summer but was later clarified as having no genuine foundation, leaving the 29‑year‑old to return to the Etihad as a World Cup winner and likely central figure for the club’s next chapter. His triumph adds a marquee player to Manchester City’s rebuilding plans.

The moment also saw Rodri receive the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball award, completing a fairytale return from his ACL injury. The accolade highlighted his transformation from injury‑plagued years to global recognition.