Rodrigo: Man City’s multi-tasking midfielder

 

If there’s a perception about what a footballer in the current era is like, Rodrigo Hernandez does not meet the criteria.

Hernandez, more commonly known as ‘Rodri’, has been an integral part of Manchester City’s incredible run this season – playing more minutes than any other player in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

But in addition to sniffing out opposition attacks and building City ones, the Spain international has been studying for a degree in ‘Business Administration and Management’.

The 24-year-old used the break from football in the first lockdown to get stuck into his studies and is close to finishing.

While his focus has been on his football career, education has always been key for Rodri.

As per Sky Sports, he was sent to America and Ireland on foreign exchange programmes as a youngster – with his father wanting him to learn English.

When he was at Villarreal, playing in La Liga, he studied Business Studies and Economics at University.

And in order to ensure he never missed a lecture, Rodri stayed in student accomodation at the Universidad de Castellon.

Ahead of an interview with Marca prior to European Under-21 Championship in 2017, Rodri was spotted with a ball under one arm and a pile of books on the other.

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“People were shocked when they saw Rodri, who was playing in the top flight but still living at the university residence,” Valentin Henarejo, his friend, told MARCA.

“After the first few days of getting to know him, there was normality. He shared a space with everyone, he liked being with his friends and sitting on the sofa with everyone.