Rhodri: I think against France we had one of our best games as a team, but against...

The exit of the Spanish national team to the finals of the World Cup - only the second in the history of the country - may seem like a miracle to some, but for the captain of the team, Rodri, it is a natural result of long and painstaking work. Already this Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford (New Jersey), Furia Roja's most serious test awaits: the battle for the world crown against the current champion, the Argentina national team. The winner of the 2024 Ballon d'Or Rodri emphasizes that the foundation of the current success was laid by victories in the League of Nations in 2023 and at the European Championship in 2024. Before the main match of the tournament, he wants to see in his teammates a fearlessness and a thirst for victory that will surpass the fear of defeat. "We are gradually growing. We must continue to do the same as we are doing now, because it was a process that lasted all five years," Rhodri emphasized during Friday's press conference. The midfielder rejected the stereotype that Spain is a team of one predictable brand or style. According to him, the main strength of the current national team lies precisely in its flexibility: "So we can adapt to the need to defend, to counter-attack, to attack. We're a very cohesive team, and that's why we're here," he added. Spain's run to the finals has been impressively reliable, with the team conceding just one goal in seven tournament games, outscoring their opponents 13-1 on aggregate (after a sensational opening draw with Cape Verde). In the play-offs, the team showed character, beating Portugal in the round of 16 thanks to a late goal from Mikel Merino, knocking out Belgium in the quarter-finals and convincingly beating neighbors France (2-0) in the semi-finals. Goalkeeper Unai Simon became a reliable wall behind with his nine important saves. Despite his brilliant performance against the French, Rhodri is aware of the scale of Sunday's challenge: "I think against France we played one of the best games as a team, but against Argentina we have to go to the next level because they are the champions. And I'm really sure we can do it," stressed Rodri. We will remind, earlier it became known that