Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known as Rodri, was born in Madrid on 22 June 1996. A Spanish international and a defensive midfielder, he is considered one of the best in the world in his position. He stands out for his capacity to control the game and dictate the pace thanks to his tactical intelligence, precise passing and skills in recovering possession. 

Rodri came through the youth ranks at Atlético Madrid, although he completed his development at Villarreal, the club where he made his debut in the Spanish top flight. His impressive performances prompted Atlético to bring him back in 2018. After an excellent season under Diego Simeone, Manchester City signed him in 2019.

At Manchester City, his consistency, ability to control the tempo of games and leadership helped the team win numerous trophies, including several Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in 2023, when he scored the decisive goal that secured the club's first European crown.

Rodri has also played a hugely important role for the Spanish national team. He won Euro 2024, a triumph that cemented his status as one of the world's leading players and culminated in him winning the Ballon d'Or that same year.  He also played a key role in Spain's 2026 World Cup triumph alongside eight Barça players, and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.