Another Manchester City player has been hailed after a solid performance at Euro 2024.
On Sunday evening, England fans were really put through it after the Three Lions came within a whisker of being dumped out.
Jude Bellingham popped up to equalise in the very last minute of the game following another awful team performance, and then Harry Kane scored early in extra-time.
Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden remain in the tournament, but they will all need to improve significantly from here on in.
Following England’s narrow victory, Spain faced Georgia.
Georgia gave Spain a scare by taking the lead, but then Spain’s quality told and they ran out 4-1 winners.
After the game, Luis de la Fuente raved over Manchester City star Rodri.
Luis de la Fuente hails Spain’s ‘computer’ Rodri after 4-1 win over Georgia
Spain have looked very strong so far at Euro 2024.
They have disappointed at major tournaments in recent years, but this time around they look to have a great balance and also some exciting young talents – like wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
But the man who makes everything tick is Rodri, just as he makes everything tick for Manchester City.
The 28-year-old was sublime against Georgia, with Sofascore data indicating that he completed an incredible 109/117 (93%) passes.
He won all six of the duels he contested, and even got himself on the scoresheet. He took his goal really well, taking a pass from the left side before firing low into the far corner to make it 1-1.
After the game, Rodri came in for praise from his manager de la Fuente.
He said (as quoted by ESPN): “It’s normal that after the goal, an own goal, there were some nervous minutes.
“But we managed to wrestle control back and the players read the game brilliantly. We were calm at half-time, there was no anxiety and the players knew what was needed.
“And then we have Rodri, who is a computer who makes everyone else play. He managed all the emotions and all the moments perfectly, which is a big help for everyone.”
Another top display from Rodri
There can be little doubt now that Rodri is the best defensive midfielder in the world.
The £63 million star just plays to an incredible level every time he steps out onto the field and at this point, he is one of the best players in the world regardless of position. Indeed, ahead of last night’s game, Georgia manager Willy Sagnol insisted he was ‘one of the best players in the world’.
It is a joy to watch him grab every game by the scruff of the neck and completely control things from the base of midfield.
For both City and Spain, everything goes through him. But not only does he dictate, he provides protection for the defence and also offers support in the final third.
He’s got a long way to go in his career and obviously anything could happen. But given the trajectory he has been on, it may not be unreasonable to suggest that he should be in ‘greatest holding midfielders of all-time’ debates when he stops playing.