{"id":167368,"date":"2025-09-03T20:45:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T20:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-usa-rodri-ive-had-to-clear-my-mind-if-today-i-feel-like-having-chocolate-cookies-for-breakfast-then-i-have-them-it-may-seem-trivial-but-its-really-impactful-on-a-mental\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T20:45:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T20:45:14","slug":"world-cup-2026-usa-rodri-ive-had-to-clear-my-mind-if-today-i-feel-like-having-chocolate-cookies-for-breakfast-then-i-have-them-it-may-seem-trivial-but-its-really-impactful-on-a-mental","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-usa-rodri-ive-had-to-clear-my-mind-if-today-i-feel-like-having-chocolate-cookies-for-breakfast-then-i-have-them-it-may-seem-trivial-but-its-really-impactful-on-a-mental\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup 2026 USA: Rodri: “I’ve had to clear my mind. If today I feel like having chocolate cookies for breakfast, then I have them. It may seem trivial, but it\u2019s really impactful on a mental level.”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Rodrigo Hern\u00e1ndez: A Year of Resilience and Reflection<\/h2>\n

In a candid and insightful interview, Rodrigo Hern\u00e1ndez<\/strong>, the reigning Ballon d’Or<\/strong> winner and acclaimed midfielder, shares his journey over the past year following a severe knee injury. The 29-year-old Spanish international recalls his emotions upon returning to the Ciudad del F\u00fatbol de Las Rozas, a moment laden with significance. “For me, it\u2019s always an honor to come back, but this time it feels different,” he reveals. Indeed, it marks a new chapter in his career, as he embraces the shift from injury back to competition.<\/p>\n

Rodri, as he\u2019s affectionately known, explains how the mental aspect of recovery is paramount. “It’s all about moving past a challenging year and returning to normalcy,” he says, highlighting that the emotional battle has been as significant as the physical one. Reflecting on his long absence, he admits, \u201cThe part that hit me the hardest was towards the end, when you believe you\u2019re ready to play again but face setbacks.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Journey of Recovery<\/h2>\n

The conversation shifts to the day of his injury, which occurred on September 22, 2024<\/strong>. “I felt immense pain during the play,” Rodri recalls, adding that it took days to comprehend the severity of the situation. \u201cThe first few months were manageable, but the latter stages tested my patience,\u201d he explains. This reveals a critical aspect of his personality: resilience.<\/p>\n

Rodri shares that the experience has instilled a sense of maturity within him. “I learned the importance of the people around me,\u201d he asserts. \u201cWhen you step back and view things from another perspective, you see everything differently.\u201d This shift in outlook is eye-opening, as he realizes how fleeting a career can be in professional football. “Football is present. Life too,” he reflects.<\/p>\n

\nRodri during the interview with EL MUNDO. SERGIO ENR\u00cdQUEZ-NISTAL<\/em><\/p>\n

Life Beyond the Field<\/h2>\n

When discussing the emotional toll of his prolonged absence from the pitch, Rodri highlights the contrasting feelings of relief and concern. While the injury provided him with unexpected free time<\/strong> to reconnect with his family, he admits that every athlete craves the adrenaline of competition. “It\u2019s a whirlwind of emotions, going from being constantly stimulated to having that stripped away,” he reflects.<\/p>\n

He expresses how his priorities shifted during recovery, stating, \u201cI’ve focused on personal relationships and future plans.\u201d This maturity fosters a healthier mindset, as he learns to appreciate the ‘small things’ often overlooked in the hustle of a professional athlete’s life. <\/p>\n

Interestingly, Rodri also shares his thoughts on nutrition and self-care<\/strong>. \u201cWhile I\u2019m generally careful with what I eat, I\u2019ve allowed myself to indulge,\u201d he says with a chuckle. Exercises that once felt mundane took on new significance, as he found joy in simple pleasures such as breakfast cookies. \u201cEating what I want sometimes felt like a breath of fresh air,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

Return to National Duty<\/h2>\n

With the rise of his teammate, Martin Zubimendi<\/strong>, who has impressively filled his shoes during his absence, Rodri reflects on the balance of being a former star returning to the squad. \u201cIt\u2019s essential to know your role on the team, even if that means stepping back for the greater good,\u201d he explains. \u201cWinning is what matters most.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reassured by the support of his fellow players and coaching staff, Rodri feels optimistic about his return. This camaraderie, he insists, is what makes the team feel like family. \u201cIt\u2019s about being more than just teammates; we care for each other,\u201d he says earnestly.<\/p>\n

\"Rodri
\nRodri and Carvajal salute the audience during training in Las Rozas. EFE<\/em><\/p>\n

Goals on the Horizon<\/h2>\n

As discussions of his future arise, Rodri reflects on his aspirations both on and off the field. \u201cI consider myself still young, but the injury has made me contemplative about my longevity in this sport,\u201d he admits. \u201cI need to ensure I\u2019m smart about how I manage my body going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

The dialogue inevitably touches on his thoughts about retirement, a topic that\u2019s essential yet difficult. \u201cI can see my career entering a new phase, but I won\u2019t be stepping away anytime soon,\u201d he shares. His competitive spirit remains undiminished, an essential trait that fuels his drive to excel.<\/p>\n

Rodri also hints at the possibility of life beyond football, confessing, \u201cI see myself more outside of football than in it.\u201d Acknowledging the impermanence of a player\u2019s life, he remains focused on making the most of every moment on the field.<\/p>\n

The conclusion of the interview reveals a thoughtful athlete who has grown through challenges and experiences. Rodri’s journey of recovery<\/strong> reflects not just resilience, but a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of life, sport, and personal growth<\/strong>. As he gears up for the upcoming season, fans eagerly anticipate watching this remarkable player continue to thrive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


\n
General News – 2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rodrigo Hern\u00e1ndez: A Year of Resilience and Reflection In a candid and insightful interview, Rodrigo Hern\u00e1ndez, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and acclaimed midfielder, shares his journey over the past year following a severe knee injury. The 29-year-old Spanish international recalls his emotions upon returning to the Ciudad del F\u00fatbol de Las Rozas, a moment […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":167369,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[36710,41636],"class_list":["post-167368","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-deportes","tag-deportes-futbol-mundial-de-futbol"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167368","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=167368"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167368\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/167369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167368"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=167368"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=167368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}