As England and Spain prepare to go head-to-head in the Euro 2024 final, Declan Rice was full of praise for one Manchester City player.
Both Gareth Southgate and Luis de la Fuente will be hoping to win their first major international tournament and lead their respective countries to glory.
However, it is tough to decide which team is better-placed to win the much-awaited clash due to how quality both sides have within their ranks.
Both teams are entering the contest off the back of morale-boosting wins — with England having beaten the Netherlands 2-1 at the death, thanks to Ollie Watkins’ late winner and Spain dominating a France team in a 2-1 win where they were initially 1-0 down.
One player who is likely to have all eyes on him is Rodri.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Declan Rice hails Rodri
Ahead of the blockbuster battle between England and Spain, Conor Gallagher described the Manchester City maestro as “world-class” and revealed that it is always “tough” to play against him.
The £62.5 million man is exactly the profile of midfielder who has troubled Three Lions teams in previous tournaments — due to his technical excellence, intelligence and experience at the highest level.
Previously, the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Luka Modric — who can also be associated with such labels have run rings around England’s midfield.
Ahead of the game, Rice praised Rodri in his press conference via talkSPORT.
The Arsenal midfielder said: “We obviously know Rodri is a top player. I think I did an interview with Arsenal just before the end of the season and I spoke really highly of him. I think we are two completely players. We are players that constantly get compared to each other, and I think that’s normal now. But I think we are two completely different players, in my opinion, and I am sure he would say the same thing.”
“I do have respect for him because, you know, what he has done, how he has come to England, adapted, won trophies, played week in week out. He has been a top player now in this country for years, so yeah, big respect for him.”
The winner of Rodri vs Declan Rice battle could decide Euro 2024 final between Spain and England
A battle in midfield that could decide which team wins the European Championship final on Sunday is between Rodri and Rice.
If there is one midfielder in world football who has the engine and physicality to give the Spaniard a tough test, it is the former West Ham United talisman.
Simultaneously, Rodri is perhaps the only number six in the game currently who can dictate any match from start to finish.
Furthermore, there have not been many holding midfielders in recent memory who are as much of a threat as goalscorers and creators as the City conductor is; traits that could come in handy for Spain in the final.
Whichever player out of Rodri or Rice is on top of his game will help their respective nations dominate the game.
As the two best defensive midfielders go head-to-head in one of the biggest games in football, it will be intriguing to witness which player gets the better of the other.
