Rodri Hernández is presented as the pivotal midfield figure whose physical presence, leadership and technical quality underpin both Manchester City's and Spain's recent success. He is described as a Ballon d'Or winner who delivered decisive goals for club and country and who guided Manchester City to a treble while Spain won consecutive international trophies. A severe right-knee injury—ruptured ligaments and damaged meniscus—left him sidelined for a year and exposed defensive frailties in the Spanish side. Rodri has been recalled to the national squad and may feature in upcoming qualifiers against Bulgaria and Turkey, with his fitness crucial to Spain's World Cup hopes.
If Spain are to come anywhere close to their 2008-2010 feats and back up their European Championship title by adding the World Cup, then they have a central problem. Literally. It's a 6-foot-2, 118-pound problem by the name of Rodri Hernández: Ballón d'Or winner, leader, champion, enforcer, brainiac, and someone without whom, on top form, Spain simply won't lift their second Mundial trophy in New Jersey next July.
Since Rodri -- who has been named in Spain's squad for the first time in a year and who might get match time against Bulgaria and Turkey on the road over the next eight days -- felt his right knee surrender in protest at overwork and heard his ligaments rupture (damaging the meniscus at the same time), the European champions have become sieve-like.
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