Spain secured their fourth European Championship crown with a 2-1 win at Berlin’s Olympiastadion as Mikel Oyarzabal’s late strike was enough to wrap up the result.
Rodri was named player of the tournament in Germany, despite going off injured at half-time of the final.
After the match Rodri insisted being crowned kings of the continent with Spain eclipses all his club achievements, given they beat Italy, France, Germany and England to lift the trophy.
“This is probably the best day of my career,” he said.
“We are European champions, as difficult as that is. We have become Europe’s most successful national team.
“Previous generations showed us the way. In sport, as in life, when you leave it all out there, you are rewarded.”
He continued: “We have made history, beating four former world champions in the process. We got through the toughest draw and it speaks for the mentality of the team.
“This has been cultivated. Many of us were champions at Under-17, Under-19, Under-21 level… (head coach) Luis de la Fuente knew what he was doing.”
Rodri Gibraltar chanting ban
Rodri got into hot water with team-mate Alvaro Morata after chanting about Gibraltar during a Euro 2024 victory event.
Rodri took the microphone during a celebration event in Madrid on July 15 and sang “Gibraltar es Espanol” – Gibraltar is Spanish – leading to a complaint from the Gibraltar Football Association.
The Gibraltar FA described Rodri and Morata’s actions as “deeply offensive”, with governing body UEFA subsequently appointing an ethics and disciplinary inspector to evaluate what had happened at the event.
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, but is the subject of a territorial claim by Spain.
Rodri and Morata were later charged under Article 11 of UEFA’s disciplinary code and handed one-match bans.
In a statement confirming the sanctions, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body said the players must serve one-match bans for “failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sporting events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute”.
Rodri's injury misery in 2024/25 season
Just five games into the new Premier League season Rodri suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in a top of the table clash with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
The 28-year-old underwent surgery and will not be available again until the 2025/26 campaign.
City had not lost any of their last 48 Premier League matches in which Rodri had featured.
Rodri wins 2024 Ballon d’Or
On October 28, 2024, Rodri won the men’s Ballon d’Or at a prestigious ceremony in Paris.
Rodri beat the Real Madrid trio of Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham to the top honour, and that verdict from the 100-strong panel of voters led the delegation from Real Madrid to stay at home.
The 28-year-old was helped on to the stage on crutches after his season-ending knee ligament injury.
Rodri said: “I have so many things to thank people for. First of all to France Football and to UEFA for giving me this award. I would like to thank those who voted for me and put their trust in me. Today is a very special day for me and for my family, my country.
“I would like to thank the most important person in the world for me, my girlfriend Laura. Today is our anniversary and without her things wouldn’t have been the same. Thank you.
“Also my family, of course. The values they have taught me and all they represent in me, for having taught me the right steps to take and for helping be become the man I am…
“I don’t want to forget my team-mates, I understand it is a group game. Manchester City is so special, I know I wouldn’t make this without you. For me it is the best club in the world, and thanks to them things happen much easier.
“The national team and Luis (de la Fuente, coach), for trusting me for so long, I have to mention my team-mates with whom we won the Euros. This is not just for me but for Spanish football.”