There is a lot to like and admire about Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante, not least how the Manchester City midfielder has redefined a role that previously valued high-energy and endeavour.
The 26-year-old’s predecessor at the Etihad, Fernandinho, came to be known for such attributes, and when we acknowledge the finest exponent of the holding position in the modern era – N’Golo Kante – it’s tempting to believe the role demands a wiry frame and the ability to cover every blade of grass.
Both buzzed like bees trapped in a jar from the opening whistle to the last. Both were frenetic, kinetic one-man wars.
Rodri, however, isn’t really like this though few could claim he is any the less impactful or influential on proceedings.
With a burly physique that borders on dad-bod the Spanish international instead dictates an altogether more considered tempo as City find themselves shorter priced each week in the football betting to attain a rare treble. His passing is always precise. His shepherding of danger masterful.
Indeed, it could be said that every matchday we get to witness a masterclass in stylish negation. Furthermore, off the pitch, the former Atletico star is evidently a decent guy.
Grounded and resolutely ‘normal’ for a footballer, he continued his studies in business administration alongside his footballing career, completing his degree in 2021.
Throughout, he insisted on living in halls of residence despite being a La Liga superstar. Throughout, he insisted on driving a second-hand Corsa, the trappings of fame and fortune clearly holding little appeal.
Yet if all this puts Rodri in a positive light, what makes him a villain is an attitude to losing that very much contradicts his otherwise humble demeanour.
In September 2020, the midfielder blotted his copybook with a startling and ungracious response to Leicester City coming to the Etihad and putting five past the Blues.
Reeling from a wholly unexpected 5-2 loss, the petulant Spaniard said, “For me, they were lucky,” before elaborating on why. “A team like Leicester comes here and plays with 11 guys behind the ball. It's not the way I like to play.”
To be so disrespectful of a fantastic and exhilarating performance that made a mockery of the live betting odds left a sour taste in the ears of all who heard it. Was there only one way to win a game of football?
Moreover, the Foxes’ game-plan was brave, well thought out, and superbly executed. They deserved acclaim for their display, not to be falsely painted as bus-parking merchants.
If such comments highlighted a spoilt streak it was sadly not a one-off, as just last month he was at it again.
On this occasion, it was Rodri’s national side that should have been gift-wrapped the points purely by virtue of playing possession-based fare, while Scotland took the role of Leicester, an insolent bunch of upstarts who dared to play to their strengths, instead of standing around, cooing at Spain’s majestic five-yard passes.
Following a 2-0 loss at Hampden Park in a Euro qualifier, the miffed midfielder bleated, “For me, this is not football,” adding, “It’s a bit rubbish.”
Again, the disrespect. Again, a player insisting his own interpretation of the beautiful game is sacrosanct.
It is all very well that Rodri is a sore loser. Show us a multiple league winner who isn’t.
Such a lack of civility however is simply unbecoming. Fernandinho would never.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
