Rodri One Win Away From Joining Messi, Charlton in Football's Most Exclusive Club

Spain midfielder Rodri is on the verge of etching his name alongside Lionel Messi, Bobby Charlton, and a handful of other legends after helping La Roja punch their ticket to the World Cup final. Tuesday night in Dallas saw Spain deliver a commanding 2-0 victory over France in the semifinals, with Mikel Oyarzabal converting a penalty and Pedro Porro adding a second-half strike. The result sent Spain to their second-ever World Cup final and extended their unbeaten run to 38 matches, matching Italy's all-time record in men's international football. But at the heart of it all was Rodri. The Manchester City midfield metronome, alongside Fabián Ruiz, dictated the tempo and suffocated the French attack. Already a Ballon d'Or winner in 2024, a European champion with Spain last year, and a treble winner with City in 2022-23, Rodri now stands 90 minutes from a career grand slam. Only 10 players in history have won the World Cup, the European Cup/Champions League, and the Ballon d'Or. The list includes Bobby Charlton, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Paolo Rossi, Zinedine Zidane, Kaká, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, and Ousmane Dembélé. Rodri would become the 11th if Spain lift the trophy on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Spain will learn their opponent after Wednesday's other semifinal between England and Argentina. Regardless of who emerges, the Spanish machine – unbeaten in 38 and firing on all cylinders – will be heavy favorites to crown their golden generation with the ultimate prize.