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Spain captain Rodri Hernandez has sent a strong motivational message to his teammates as La Roja gear up for just their second-ever FIFA World Cup final. Despite their commanding performances throughout the tournament, the Manchester City midfielder remains cautious and insists that the mission is far from complete as they prepare to face Argentina in a high-stakes clash in New Jersey.

Rodri calls for composure ahead of the final

Since the start of the tournament, one message has resonated clearly through the Spanish camp: “I’m here to win the World Cup.” That statement has become the guiding principle under captain Rodri, whose leadership and control in midfield have been instrumental in Spain’s impressive run. Even with La Roja’s consistency and dominance in North America, Rodri remains grounded as his team stands on the verge of footballing glory.

Speaking after Spain’s semi-final victory, the Manchester City star urged caution amid growing external expectations. “If anyone thinks we are going to win a World Cup without suffering, they are wrong,” Rodri cautioned, as quoted by Marca. “These are the best teams in the world, but our team has shown great maturity to reach this stage. We’ve grown during the tournament, shown patience, and now we’re going for the title.”

Spain arrive in New Jersey for Argentina encounter

Luis de la Fuente’s squad have now arrived in the New York region, according to Periodico, though their journey was not without difficulties. Electrical storms in Dallas caused several hours of flight delays before the team finally landed at Newark Airport around 3 a.m. local time. Spain have since settled at the MC Hotel in Montclair, where they are finalising preparations for Sunday’s final at the MetLife Stadium.

This highly anticipated contest has been dubbed a ‘Finalissima’ of sorts, bringing together the reigning champions of Europe and South America — a first in the competition’s history. For Rodri, the match carries personal significance as well. Victory would place him among the sport’s elite, making him just the seventh player in history to have won the World Cup, the UEFA European Championship, the UEFA Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or – joining legends such as Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi.

Maintaining calm in the Spanish camp

While fans across Spain dream of adding a second star to their national team’s crest, the mood within the squad remains calm and measured. Forward Mikel Oyarzabal emphasised the importance of composure over excitement. “I’m just as calm as I was on the first day after the Cape Verde game, when things didn’t go so well,” said Oyarzabal. “We couldn’t have imagined reaching this point, but now we can proudly say we’re in a World Cup final.”

That same sense of tranquillity was also reflected by young defender Pau Cubarsi, who showed remarkable maturity for his age. “Inside, I feel very happy, but I’m calm,” he said. “The coming days will be very special. We’re going to New York, the dream is alive, and we can’t wait for the game to come.”

Spain’s dominance over France sets up the grand finale

Spain booked their place in the final after a commanding 2-0 win over tournament favourites France, a result that sent ripples through the footballing world. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sealed the victory in Dallas, as Spain’s midfield, orchestrated by Rodri, completely neutralised the attacking threat of Kylian Mbappe and his French teammates.

Now, only Lionel Messi and Argentina stand between Spain and footballing history. Rodri understands the immense weight of the occasion but remains steadfast in his objective. “We’re taking it step by step, and now only one final step remains,” the captain reflected. “The team is euphoric — it’s only the second time in our history. We have to enjoy the moment, rest, and prepare for what will be an incredibly tough game.”