Rodri Hernandez eyes historic Spain record Xavi, Iniesta and Ramos couldn’t achieve

Rodri Hernandez closes in on a Spain-only record after Euro 2024

Rodri Hernandez is on the brink of writing his name into Spain’s record books after a Euro 2024 campaign that left even legends like Xavi, Iniesta and Ramos short of the mark. The Manchester City midfielder has already lifted the trophy with Spain and now stands one step away from a feat no Spanish player has ever achieved.

What happened?

Spain beat England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final on 14 July in Berlin, handing Rodri Hernandez his first major international trophy. The 27-year-old controlled the midfield from the first whistle, completing 94% of his passes and winning every ground duel he entered. His performance capped a tournament where he was named Player of the Tournament, the first Spain player to claim the award since 2012.

Why this record matters for Rodri Hernandez

The feat Rodri is chasing is simple: become the first Spain player to lift three major trophies in a single year. He already won the Premier League and Champions League with Manchester City in 2022-23, and now Euro 2024 completes a historic treble. No Spain player has ever matched that haul in one calendar year. Xavi, Iniesta and Ramos all fell short of the three-trophy mark in their peak years.

And the numbers back up his dominance. Rodri played every minute of Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign, scored twice, and set up two more goals. His 483 passes completed in the tournament are the most by any player. The midfield maestro has now played 52 times for Spain, scoring 11 goals and providing 8 assists since his debut in 2018.

What comes next?

Rodri Hernandez will return to Manchester City for pre-season before the 2024-25 Premier League campaign. Pep Guardiola, the City manager, has already hinted at a rotation plan to keep Rodri fresh for both club and country. Spain’s next major tournament is the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Rodri will be 29 when the competition kicks off, still in his prime.

The record is within reach. Only one Spain player has ever lifted two major trophies in a single year: Andrés Iniesta in 2010. Rodri could double that total in 2024 alone. The question now is whether he can sustain this level through the next two years and etch his name into Spain’s footballing history.