Rodri's Ballon D'or case picked up another major talking point at the World Cup, where the Spain midfielder completed 655 passes before Sunday's final against Argentina. It was the most by any player on record and a clear sign of how central he was to Spain's possession game.
The number alone says plenty. Rodri was not just involved in Spain's buildup, he was at the heart of it, finishing the tournament with 62 line-breaking passes as Spain controlled games through the middle of the pitch. Spain had 64 per cent possession across the tournament, and Rodri's role helped explain why so much of their play flowed through him.
Rodri's return to top form
That level of influence mattered even more because it came after a difficult domestic season following an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the previous campaign. In October, Pep Guardiola said Rodri would be the best Rodri at the World Cup with Spain, and the tournament made that prediction look accurate.
Guardiola's point was that Rodri did not need months of perfect rhythm to be effective. He believed the World Cup would bring out the best version of him again, and that is what Spain got. Rodri's tournament form was described as a return to his dominant best, with the midfielder looking calm, secure and constantly available for teammates.
Spain built everything around control
Spain's first game of the World Cup ended in a goalless draw with Cape Verde, but the team soon settled into a strong rhythm. After that, Spain won six straight games on the way to the final, allowing only one goal in seven games. That defensive record was a reflection of the team effort, but it also underlined how much control Spain had when Rodri was on the ball.
After the semi-final victory against France, the collective effort was highlighted again. Even so, Rodri's importance was hard to miss. Luis de la Fuente said Rodri is the best player in the world, adding that even at 50 per cent he is better than most other midfielders. He also described Rodri as an inspiration, pointing to his clarity, vision and balance.
Why the record matters
Rodri's World Cup numbers are important because they show more than simple volume. They show trust. Spain kept looking for him, and he kept giving them a stable base to build from. John Obi Mikel summed that up by saying Rodri is always showing up for the ball and always available, even when he makes a mistake.
That is the broader case for Rodri Ballon D'or support. He was not chasing headlines through goals or dramatic moments. Instead, he gave Spain structure, rhythm and control in one of the biggest tournaments in the game. Before Sunday's final, those 655 passes had already made the point: when Spain were at their best, Rodri was usually at the center of it.
