Revealed: Why Spain and Man City midfielder Rodri doesn’t use his surname on the back of his shirt for club or country

Attentive viewers will notice Rodri’s curious choice of name on the back of his shirt when he plays for Spain in the final of Euro 2024 tomorrow night.

The midfielder wowed his country at the tournament this summer and will hope to inspire his country to win silver when they take on England in Berlin.

But while he is usually recognised as Rodri, above number 16 on his shirt for both Manchester City and Spain, a name is engraved: Rodrigo.

He was born Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante, meaning his nickname Rodri has in fact become a common name for pundits and commentators.

The 28-year-old has so far kept his first name on the shirt of all three of his clubs – Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and City – as well as the Spanish national team.

Spanish players are known to use their first name instead of their last name. Examples of this are Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona and Raul Gonzalez at Real Madrid.

Rodri’s decision to choose Rodrigo is similar to the large letters on his back, a shortened nickname that quickly became popular.

Several other players who previously played at the European Championship also used their first names, including Dutch players Virgil van Dijk and Memphis Depay.

Ahead of Sunday’s final, Rodri’s City team-mate Kyle Walker claimed he is aware of weaknesses in the midfielder’s game which the Three Lions could ‘exploit’.

“He’s a great player and he controls the game and dictates the game at his own pace, as I know he does at club level,” Walker said talkSPORT.

But we’ve seen video clips [of him]I know him first and foremost, there are weaknesses in everyone’s game, no one is the perfect article.

‘But we have to try to exploit those weaknesses as best we can and get the players we have in the dangerous areas to score.

‘And as a defense we have to make sure we keep a clean sheet.’