Rodri, full name Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, is the Spanish defensive midfielder who anchors both Manchester City and the Spain national team, and he capped 2026 by winning the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball while captaining Spain to the title. Below is a full profile covering his personal details, career, earnings, and stats in 2026.
Rodri’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Rodrigo Hernández Cascante |
| Nickname | Rodri |
| Date of Birth | 22 June 1996 |
| Age | 30 years |
| Birthplace | Madrid, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Religion | N/A |
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | N/A |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Playing Position | Defensive midfielder |
| Youth Clubs | Rayo Majadahonda, Atlético Madrid, Villarreal |
| Senior Clubs | Villarreal B, Villarreal, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City |
| Current Club | Manchester City |
| Jersey Number | 16 |
| International Debut | 21 March 2018 vs Germany |
| Year Turned Professional | 2015 |
| Net Worth | $30 million |
| Annual Salary | £11.4–£15.6 million |
| Relationship Status | In a long-term relationship |
| Girlfriend | Laura Iglesias |
| Children | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | N/A |
Rodri is a towering, composed defensive midfielder from Madrid who has become the anchor of both Manchester City and the Spanish national team. Off the pitch, he keeps a famously low profile, avoiding social media entirely and staying out of the spotlight with his longtime partner Laura Iglesias, whom he met at university.
Early Career
Rodri joined Atlético Madrid’s youth academy in 2007 but was released in 2013 for lacking physical strength, prompting a move to Villarreal.
While playing for Villarreal’s youth and reserve sides, he studied business administration at Jaume I University in Castellón, living in student accommodation for four years even as he broke into professional football. He made his first-team debut for Villarreal in the Copa del Rey in December 2015 and his La Liga bow in April 2016.
Professional Career
Rodri made 84 appearances for Villarreal before Atlético Madrid re-signed him in 2018, where he won the UEFA Super Cup and helped the club finish runner-up in La Liga.
Manchester City paid a then-record £62.6 million release fee for him in 2019, and he quickly became central to Pep Guardiola’s system, helping City win four straight Premier League titles from 2020–21 to 2023–24 and scoring the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final to complete a continental treble.
A serious ACL injury sidelined him for most of the 2024–25 season, but he returned in May 2025 and led Spain to Golden Ball-winning glory as captain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming just the 11th player ever to win the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d’Or.
Girlfriend
Rodri has been in a relationship with Laura Iglesias, a Spanish medical doctor, since around 2018, when the pair met during his university years in Castellón. Iglesias, who studied medicine and has reportedly explored a path into surgery, keeps an extremely private profile with no public social media presence. The couple does not have publicly confirmed children in 2026.
Rodri’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Rodri’s net worth at around $30 million, built through his Manchester City wages, tournament bonuses, and endorsement income. Reports suggest his total career earnings across Villarreal, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, and international duty are approaching $75 million before tax.
Contract
Rodri signed a five-year contract extension with Manchester City in July 2022 that runs through June 2027, following his original 2019 deal after his move from Atlético Madrid. Reports throughout 2026 indicated City were negotiating a fresh long-term extension that could push his stay at the Etihad beyond 2027, though the exact final terms of any new deal have not been officially confirmed by the club.
Salary
Rodri’s base salary at Manchester City is reported at around £220,000 per week, which works out to roughly £11.4 million annually, placing him among the higher earners in Pep Guardiola’s squad though below top stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. Some 2026 reports suggested City were preparing to raise his wages significantly as part of a new contract, with figures cited around £300,000 per week, though this has not been officially verified by the club.
Career Earnings
| Year | Club | Position | League | Weekly Wage | Annual Salary | Contract Expiry |
| 2017 | Villarreal | DM | La Liga | £11,600 | £603,200 | 29-06-2018 |
| 2018 | Villarreal | DM | La Liga | £24,000 | £1,248,000 | 30-06-2022 |
| 2019 | Atlético Madrid | DM | La Liga | £84,000 | £4,368,000 | 30-06-2022 |
| 2020 | Manchester City | DM | Premier League | £120,000 | £6,240,000 | 30-06-2024 |
| 2021 | Manchester City | DM, M | Premier League | £120,000 | £6,240,000 | 30-06-2024 |
| 2022 | Manchester City | DM | Premier League | £130,000 | £6,760,000 | 30-06-2024 |
| 2023 | Manchester City | D C, DM | Premier League | £160,000 | £8,320,000 | 30-06-2027 |
| 2024 | Manchester City | D C, DM | Premier League | £165,000 | £8,580,000 | 30-06-2027 |
| 2025 | Manchester City | D C, DM | Premier League | £165,000–£220,000 | £8,580,000–£11,440,000 | 30-06-2027 |
| 2026 | Manchester City | D C, DM | Premier League | £165,000–£220,000 | £8,580,000–£11,440,000 | 30-06-2027 |
Career Stats
| Club/Country | Years | Appearances | Goals | Notes |
| Villarreal B | 2014-2016 | 41 | 2 | Youth-to-senior transition |
| Villarreal | 2015-2018 | 84 | 2 | Broke into first team |
| Atlético Madrid | 2018-2019 | 47 | 3 | One season before City move |
| Manchester City | 2019-present | 298 | 28 | 4x Premier League, UCL winner |
| Spain (National Team) | 2018-present | 70 | 4 | 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner |
Rodri’s international haul includes the 2024 European Championship, the 2023 UEFA Nations League, and now the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he captained Spain to the title without registering a goal or assist but led the tournament in completed passes.
FAQs
1. Who is Rodri?
Rodri (Rodrigo Hernández Cascante) is a Spanish defensive midfielder for Manchester City and captain of Spain’s national team. He’s widely regarded as one of the best holding midfielders in the world.
2. What position does Rodri play?
Rodri plays as a defensive midfielder, sitting in front of the defence to protect the back line. He controls the game’s tempo with his passing, positioning, and reading of play rather than relying on speed or flashy skills.
3. Which clubs has Rodri played for?
He came through Atlético Madrid’s youth system, broke through at Villarreal, then returned to Atlético in 2018. In 2019, he joined Manchester City for a then club‑record fee and became their first‑choice midfield anchor.
4. What are Rodri’s biggest career highlights?
Rodri scored the winning goal in Manchester City’s first-ever Champions League title in 2023. He later won the 2024 Ballon d’Or and led Spain to victory at Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.
5. Did Rodri win the Ballon d’Or?
Yes, Rodri won the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or after a dominant season for Manchester City and Spain. He became the first Manchester City player ever to receive the award.
6. What happened with Rodri’s knee injury?
In September 2024, Rodri suffered a serious ACL and meniscus injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season. He returned to action around nine months later, just before the end of the following campaign.
7. What did Rodri achieve at the 2026 World Cup?
Rodri captained Spain to the 2026 World Cup title, beating Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final. He was named adidas Golden Ball winner as the tournament’s best player.
8. How tall is Rodri and what is his physical profile?
Rodri is about 1.90–1.91 m tall (around 6 ft 3 in) and plays with strength and stamina in midfield. His size, combined with high passing accuracy and tactical awareness, makes him a dominant presence in the centre of the pitch.
9. What did Rodri study?
While at Villarreal, Rodri studied Business Studies and Economics at university in Castellón. He famously insisted on not missing lectures despite his professional football commitments.
10. Is Rodri active on social media, and who is his partner?
Rodri is known for keeping a low profile and has no personal social media accounts. He is in a long-term relationship with Laura Cascante (often reported as Laura Iglesias Cascante), a doctor he met at university.