Spain midfielder Rodri says winning Euro 2024 is ‘the best day of my career’
Spain midfielder Rodri says winning Euro 2024 is ‘the best day of my career’
Spain’s Rodri kisses his Best Player of the tournament trophy after the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. Spain won 2-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain’s Rodri holds up the Best Player of the tournament trophy after the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. Spain won 2-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain’s Mikel Merino, left, and Spain’s Rodri celebrate after winning the final match against England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Spain’s Rodri holds the trophy after winning the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. Spain won 2-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain’s Rodri lifts the player of the tournament trophy after the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Spain’s Rodri controls the ball during the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain’s Rodri kisses his Best Player of the tournament trophy after the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. Spain won 2-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain’s Rodri kisses his Best Player of the tournament trophy after the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. Spain won 2-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain’s Rodri holds up the Best Player of the tournament trophy after the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. Spain won 2-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain’s Rodri holds up the Best Player of the tournament trophy after the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. Spain won 2-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain’s Mikel Merino, left, and Spain’s Rodri celebrate after winning the final match against England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Spain’s Mikel Merino, left, and Spain’s Rodri celebrate after winning the final match against England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Spain’s Rodri holds the trophy after winning the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. Spain won 2-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain’s Rodri holds the trophy after winning the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. Spain won 2-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain’s Rodri lifts the player of the tournament trophy after the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Spain’s Rodri lifts the player of the tournament trophy after the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Spain’s Rodri controls the ball during the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain’s Rodri controls the ball during the final match between Spain and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
BERLIN (AP) — He only played half the game, but Spain midfielder Rodri called it the best day of his career.
Spain looked to have suffered a major blow when Rodri went off with an unspecified injury at halftime in the European Championship final against England on Sunday with the score at 0-0.
Rodri said he felt something odd in his leg after running into teammate Robin Le Normand and that he knew he couldn’t keep going after trying a sprint.
But fears of a second-half drop in intensity were put to rest when Nico Williams scored soon after the break, then substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored late for Spain to win 2-1 and claim its fourth European title.
“My God, what a day, this is surely the best day of my career,” Rodri said after he was presented with the player of the tournament award.
Rodri helped Manchester City win the Champions League title in June, including scoring the only goal of the final against Inter Milan.
On Sunday, Rodri was replaced at the break by Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, considered one of the best holding midfielders in the Spanish league, but untested internationally. He more than rose to the challenge, winning all his tackles and with a better passing rate than Rodri.
“You only have to see the family we have built ... Now we are the national team that has won the most European Championships,” said Rodri, who paid tribute to Spain’s young players in particular — Williams is just 22 and Lamine Yamal turned 17 on Saturday. They won the player of the match and young player of the tournament awards, respectively.
“Many of us here won Under-19 and Under-21 European Championships, and this is something that is cultivated and nurtured and you work hard for,” Rodri said. “Today we are champions of Europe and we’re not going to stop here.”
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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024