Rodri (footballer, born 1996)
Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (born 22 June 1996), known as Rodri or Rodrigo, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for club Manchester City and the Spain national team. Rodri is a former Spain youth international, and made his debut for the senior national team in 2018, representing the side at UEFA Euro 2020. Club career. Villarreal. Born in Madrid, Rodri joined Atlético Madrid's youth setup in 2007 aged 11, from CF Rayo Majadahonda. Released in 2013 due to a "lack of physical strength", he subsequently signed with Villarreal CF. On 7  February 2015, while still a junior, Rodri made his senior debut for the reserves, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–1 away win against RCD Espanyol B in the Segunda División B. He was handed his first start 15 days later, in a 2–0 victory at Real Zaragoza B. Rodri made his first-team debut on 17 December 2015, starting in a 2–0 home win against SD Huesca for that season's Copa del Rey. His first La Liga appearance was on 17 April 2016, when he came on as a second-half substitute for Denis Suárez in  a 2–1 away loss to Rayo Vallecano. On 4 December 2017, having already established himself as a regular, Rodri renewed his contract until 2022. He scored his first goal in the Spanish top level on 18 February 2018, the opener in a 1–1 away draw against RCD Espanyol. Atlético Madrid. On 24 May 2018, Rodri returned to Atlético after the club reached an agreement with Villarreal for his transfer. He signed a five-year contract with the Madrid side, for a fee in the region of €20 million plus 5 million in variables. He made his debut on 15  August in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup in Tallinn, playing the first 71 minutes of a 4–2 extra-time win over city rivals Real Madrid. Manchester City. 2019–20 season. On 3 July 2019, Manchester City met the terms of Rodri's £62.6 million release clause, enabling him to buy out the remainder of his contract with Atlético and leave the club. The transfer was a new record transfer fee paid by Manchester City. He signed a five-year contract. Rodri made his debut in the 2019 FA Community Shield on 4 August at Wembley Stadium, playing the full 90  minutes as City won on penalties against Liverpool after a 1–1 draw. He made his Premier League debut against West Ham United six days later in a 5–0 away win, and on 14 September he scored his first goal as consolation in a 3–2 away defeat by Norwich City. It was announced in October 2019 that he would be out for a month due to a hamstring injury. On 1 March 2020, City won the EFL Cup at Wembley Stadium for the third time in a row, beating Aston Villa 2–1 in the final. Rodri headed in City's second  goal from a corner, which ultimately turned out to be the winner. 2020–21 season. On 13 February 2021, Rodri scored City's first goal in the game from a penalty, in a 3–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. International career. After playing for Spain at under-16, under-19 and under-21 levels, Rodri was first selected by the full side on 16 March 2018 for two friendlies with Germany and Argentina. He made his debut five days later, replacing Thiago Alcântara late in the 1–1 draw against Germany in Düsseldorf. On 24 May 2021, Rodri was included in Luis Enrique's 24-man  squad for UEFA Euro 2020. Honours. Atlético Madrid Manchester City Spain U19 Spain U21 Spain Individual