Rodri: The desire to win must outweigh the fear of losing
Spain national team captain Rodrigo Hernandez, known as Rodri, affirmed yesterday that the squad must enter the World Cup final against Argentina with a greater desire to win than fear of losing, stressing that the team has reached a stage of maturity after a long process of development.
Speaking at a packed press conference at the Javits Center in Manhattan, the Manchester City midfielder said that Spain has come through a gradual growth process, with everyone witnessing the team’s maturation over recent years. He added that this generation will leave its mark after embarking on a path of trophies, from the UEFA Nations League to the European Championship, and now to the World Cup final.
He clarified that while the team is happy with what it has achieved, it aspires to more, emphasizing that Sunday’s match at MetLife Stadium will be a beautiful challenge to make this generation immortal in memory.
Rodri noted that the main objective was reaching the final on Sunday, and that the team came to win the tournament, convinced of its ability to do so despite facing the toughest opponent. He considered the match to be a direct and more physical encounter, highlighting that Spain’s distinguishing feature is its ability to adapt to different phases of the game.
He underscored the importance of the midfield but stressed that controlling the flow of play is the decisive factor. He also spoke about the provocations and psychological games the opponent might employ, asserting that Spain follows a different path and must ignore such attempts.
When asked about his team’s weaknesses, he said he would not reveal them, but described the Spanish national team as cohesive and difficult to beat, pointing to its ability to handle penalty areas and control the midfield.
He added that Argentina deserves praise for its development and brilliance in recent years, while the Spanish side seeks to prove it can be the best team.
Rodri discussed Argentina’s late goals, considering them a reflection of a very strong competitive character. He affirmed that Spain will seek to harm its opponent in the way it can, and that the team must play to win while remaining faithful to its style throughout the match.
Regarding his role in the locker room, he said the time has come to be the leader, explaining that the task involves a degree of complexity because his teammates watch and emulate him.
He noted that he learned from previous leaders and recalled the experience of the 2010 World Cup champions, affirming that the mindset of achieving what seemed impossible at the time is what he will retain from that generation.
