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Rodri rules the midfield, smashes world cup passing record

Published : Monday, 20 July, 2026 at 9:37 PM

Observer Online Report

Spain midfielder Rodri has etched his name into FIFA World Cup history after setting a new record for the most completed passes in a single tournament, underlining his role as the heartbeat of Spain’s possession-based football.

The Manchester City star completed an astonishing 790 passes during Spain’s victorious 2026 World Cup campaign, surpassing his own previous record of 638 completed passes at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Before Rodri’s dominance, the record belonged to Spanish legend Xavi, who completed 599 passes during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Rodri’s ability to control the tempo of matches, break opposition pressure and maintain Spain’s rhythm from midfield became one of the defining features of their title-winning run. His precise distribution and defensive awareness helped Spain dominate possession throughout the tournament, including their 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final.

The 30-year-old midfielder’s performances were also rewarded with the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball award, recognizing him as the tournament’s best player. In the final, Rodri completed 101 of his 105 attempted passes, further highlighting his influence in Spain’s historic triumph.

With his latest achievement, Rodri has joined the elite group of midfield maestros who have shaped World Cup history, following in the footsteps of Spain’s legendary pass masters while creating a legacy of his own.

-HIS

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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