Spain star on the brink of joining Messi & Bobby Charlton in exclusive World Cup club

Analysis

Matthew Judge | Editor

Rodri is on the cusp of joining one of football’s most exclusive clubs after helping Spain reach the World Cup final.

The 30-year-old was the conductor of a Spanish orchestra who were comfortably on song in their 2-0 semi-final win over France on Tuesday.

A penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a strike from Pedro Porro proved decisive as Spain advanced to their second-ever World Cup final.

But it was Rodri - alongside superb midfielder partner Fabian Ruiz - who was the catalyst behind Spain’s dominance at the Dallas Stadium.

And now the Manchester City man stands on the brink of a dizzying landmark which has only been achieved by 10 players.

Rodri could join Messi & Charlton in special club

Having won countless honours both individually and collectively, including the Ballon d’Or in 2024, one could argue Rodri has already achieved football immortality.

The midfield metronome was the lynchpin of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City which won the treble in 2022-23, while he was also the beating heart of the Spain side who triumphed at Euro 2024.

However, Rodri can further cement his place in football history by leading Spain to a second World Cup crown in Sunday’s showpiece.

In the wake of Spain’s semi-final victory over France, it emerged that only 10 players have ever managed to win the World Cup, the European Cup/UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d’Or.

In a post on Reddit, the list includes Lionel Messi, who added to his eight Ballon d’Or trophies and four Champions League titles when captaining Argentina to their third World Cup at Qatar 2022.

Another name on the list is Bobby Charlton, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1966 after leading England to the World Cup in the same year, before clinching the European Cup with Manchester United in 1968.

The 10 players to win Ballon d’Or, European Cup & World Cup

Bobby Charlton - Manchester United and England

Franz Beckenbauer - Bayern Munich and Germany

Gerd Muller - Bayern Munich and Germany

Paolo Rossi - Juventus and Italy

Zinedine Zidane - Juventus, Real Madrid and France

Kaka - AC Milan and Brazil

Rivaldo - Barcelona, AC Milan and Brazil

Ronaldinho - Barcelona and Brazil

Lionel Messi - Barcelona and Argentina

Ousmane Dembele - Paris Saint-Germain and France

Who stands in Rodri’s way of joining the iconic list?

Rodri and Spain will discover their World Cup final opponents when England and Argentina face off in the other semi-final on Wednesday.

England are hoping to advance through to their second-ever World Cup final, while Argentina are aiming to reach their seventh.

Regardless of whoever wins on Wednesday, Spain will fancy their chances of emerging victorious in Sunday’s showpiece at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

After beating France in the semi-finals, Spain equalled Italy’s record for the longest unbeaten run in men’s international football history, with Rodri and co. now unbeaten in 38 matches.

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