Rodri hails from Madrid, born and bred in the heart of the city where his loyalty to Atletico Madrid was instilled from the very beginning. Growing up, he showed a remarkable balance between his academic pursuits and his passion for football. Joining the Atletico Madrid academy in his youth, he formed a tight bond with the Hernandez brothers, Lucas and Theo, earning them the affectionate nickname “the family”.
While Theo and Lucas flourished within the club, Rodri faced setbacks in his development, leading to what his family perceived as an unjust dismissal from the academy. However, his love for Atletico Madrid never waned, and he remained determined to prove himself to his childhood club. Finding a new path through Villarreal, he showcased his talents, eventually earning his way back to Atletico Madrid.
Ultimately, Rodri’s journey reached its pinnacle at Manchester City under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, where he achieved his greatest career aspirations.
Rodri’s Remarkable Rise: From Academy Rejection Football Glory
We present the Full Story of a Spanish Football Genius who is best known by his nickname “Rodri”.
Our Rodrigo Hernandez Childhood Story, including his Untold Biography Facts, brings to you a full account of notable events from his childhood time to date.
Rodrigo Hernandez Biography – From his Early Life to the moment of Fame.
The analysis involves his early life, family background, life story before fame, rise to fame story, relationship, lifestyle, personal life, etc.
Primarily a defensive midfielder by trade, everyone knows he is also an athletic box-to-box midfielder who has achieved an outstanding career.
However, not many soccer lovers have read Rodrigo Hernandez’s Biography, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s begin.
Rodrigo Hernandez Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, his full names are; Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante. Rodri, as he is popularly known or called, is just a nickname.
Did you know… The name “Hernandez” is a name bore by his father’s family, While the name “Cascante” is traced to Rodri’s mother’s family.
According to Spanish customs, Rodrigo bears the name: Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante. He was born on the 22nd day of June 1996 in Madrid, Spain.
As regards his family origin, Rodri is a pure native of Madrileno. This literally means he is a native or inhabitant of Madrid.
Growing up as a little boy in the Spanish Football city of Madrid, it was only normal for Rodri to fall in love with the beautiful game.
Rodri was among those little kids who moulded something into a soccer ball and kicked it all day.
Giving football an early start was what his parents wanted for him. However, that came with assurance by Rodri not to compromise his education for soccer training.
Rodrigo Hernandez Education:
Rodri grew up in Madrid, the capital of Spain and he was also raised in an academic household.
He was constantly taught the importance of education from an early age, a feat that followed him to adulthood despite making lots of money from soccer.
“My parents have been feeding me with the importance of education since I was a little boy,”
Rodri once revealed in a Marca interview that he had his book in his left hand and a soccer ball in the right.
Rodrigo Hernandez- Soccer and Academic Specialist. Credit to Marca.
Going to school offered young Rodri the opportunity to passionately play competitive soccer during sports periods.
After school, he dedicated his free time to playing football in the local fields, a pursuit that delighted his parents and spurred them to take action.
At some point in time, it was clear to Rodri’s parents that their little son was a good investment in soccer.
Such love paid its full dividends as Rodri got called by Atletico Madrid for trials.
Early Football Journey:
Rodri’s love for football ignited when he was just 10 years old in 2006. Passing trials with flying colors, he earned a spot at the local club, Rayo Majadahonda. This opportunity laid the foundation for his career. Coincidentally, Rodri joined the youth setup alongside his Atletico Madrid teammate, Lucas, and his brother, Theo Hernández.
It was quick for Rodri and the Hernandez brothers to make an impression with the club. They all played together with other 10-year-olds helping their club to win the league.
Just one year into the club, at the age of eleven, Rodri, together with the Hernandez brothers, saw themselves again passing another trial.
This time, they successfully enrolled in the youth department of Atletico Madrid.
Below is a photo of a happy Rodri in his Atletico shirt.
Rodrigo Hernandez’s Early Years with Atletico Madrid. Credit to ForActivo
The three were always together on and off the pitch, earning the nickname of “the family”. Painfully, while Theo and his brother, Lucas excelled at the club, young Rodri’s development came to a halt despite giving his best.
Rodrigo Hernandez’s Early Career Story with Atletico Madrid. Credits to SideHumo.
One accusation levelled by the club’s management was that he was too weak.
The problem of poor performance persisted, leading Julian Munoz, the academy head at the time, to transfer Rodri to the youth setup of FC Villarreal on Spain’s east coast.
Road to Fame Story:
MANAGING THE PAINS:
At first, it was not easy for Rodri to leave his boyhood club where he dreamed of success. His parents and entire family members felt he was treated unfairly.
Did You Know?… At the time of his exit, Rodri himself wasn’t that short and too weak. He was about 1.84 meters tall, BUT maybe at that time, he lacked some physical strength.
THE NEVER-GIVE-UP MENTALITY:
Rodri never gave up on Atletico Madrid, his childhood club which he grew up supporting. His dream of playing in the Spanish club never dried up like a raisin in the sun nor festered like a sore.
In no time, his prayers began to be answered. Rodri grew to 1.91 metres, and miraculously, he also grew physically and technically. The boy began cracking the Villarreal first team within two years of his stay with the club.
Rodrigo Hernandez Road to Fame Story. Credit to Marca.
THE GREAT COMEBACK:
The year 2015 was when Rodri began to make a name for himself. That year, he helped his Spanish side in winning the UEFA European under-19 Championship.
Rodri was among six Spanish players to feature in the Team of the Tournament, including the competition’s Golden Boy winner Asensio.
2015: Rodri’s breakout year, aiding Spain to clinch the UEFA U-19 Championship and standing out alongside Golden Boy Asensio in the Team of the Tournament.
The competition became evidence of Rodri’s growth as he was crowned Spanish hottest and youngest property.
Did You Know?… Rodri’s ability on the ball made him one of the most exciting youngsters who was seen as a PERFECT RISING STAR who excels at the base of any midfield. While at Villarreal, Rodri became both a man and a footballer.
Rodrigo Hernandez Biography – Rise to Fame Story:
Seeing Rodri become Spain’s hottest and youngest property made Atletico Madrid regret the mistake of letting him leave their club much earlier.
The club sorted out a way to ask for forgiveness, one which came through a plea to have their lost Jewel return to his dream club.
Precisely On 24 May 2018, Rodri, once known as a one-time Atletico Madrid academy outcast, returned to the club after reaching an agreement with Villarreal for his transfer.
Rodri’s triumphant return to Atletico Madrid. Once overlooked, the rising Spanish star’s undeniable talent made the club reconsider, reclaiming their once-lost gem from Villarreal.
Returning to the capital brought lots of expectations for the young Spaniard.
Rodri proved his points to his old club by showcasing his masterpiece of strength and technique in several games.
Rodri endured a meteoric rise to prominence. With just one calendar year into his second stint, he had already established himself as a household name.
This was evident when he helped his team win the UEFA Super Cup.
Rodrigo Hernandez Rise to Fame Story. Credit to freckles-arelife.
Rodri continued to become that player who can play with both feet, one who saw himself becoming specialized in rescuing the ball out of high-pressure areas.
This feat attracted top clubs in Europe, among whom was Pep Guardiola‘s Man City.
After proving himself on several occasions, Rodri, in the 2018/2019 summer transfer window, decided to let Atletico Madrid know about his decision to quit the club.
At the time of writing, rumours exist about his possible link-up with Pep Guardiola, who wants him to replace an ageing Fernandinho. The rest, as football fans would say, is now history.
Personal Life:
Getting to know Rodri’s Personal life would help you get a complete picture of his innate personality.
Starting off, Rodri is someone who has always made it clear that his life isn’t only about football.
Even as a rich footballer, Rodri wants to live a life just like anyone who is average. In fact, Rodrigo Hernandez’s Personal Life is summed up in one word, and that is; “Normality”.
Everyone who gets to spend time with him would realize Rodri is just a normal guy, one who is very humble, has a good home upbringing and has feet that are always on the ground.
Away from his football and studies, Rodri spends his time playing table tennis, washing his clothes, watching television and, most importantly, doing his cooking.
Rodrigo Hernandez Personal Life- What he does at Home. Credit to Marca.
Not forgetting his studies, Rodri was once a student of Business Studies and Economics at a university in Madrid (Universidad de Castellon).
Rodrigo Hernandez LifeStyle:
According to TransferMarket, Rodri has a market value of €80,00 Million, which by implication means he is a millionaire footballer. This fact brings fans to inquire about Rodri’s lifestyle.
Similar to Declan Rice and Camavinga, Rodri’s market value doesn’t transcend to a glamorous living habit as he (despite making it in life) is very smart about managing his money.
Rodri does not spend out of control or live a flashy lifestyle. Rodri does not splash his money on flashy cars.
His car, in his early career years (before he upgraded), was a second-hand Opel Corsa, which he bought from a woman at the time he got his driving licence.
Did You Know?… Despite earning lots of money playing in La Liga, people were shocked to see Rodri continue living in a University residence in Madrid.
Rodrigo Hernandez is Home in Madrid. Credit to Marca.
Below is a photo of Rodri in his University hostel accommodation despite being a superstar for Spanish giants, Atletico Madrid, the third most popular club in La Liga (in recent years).
Rodrigo Hernandez LifeStyle Facts. Credit to Marca.
Did you know?… Rodri’s agent has been important, too. Whilst other agents look for money, he looks after his client. It is certain Rodri won’t change his humble lifestyle. He is still the same and will always be around for his friends.
Rodrigo Hernandez Family Life:
Rodri’s devotion to making sure his parents live an average life and stay away from the media is similar to his commitment on the pitch.
The only time he showcased his family members was at his presentation with Atlético, which was a big moment for him.
During his presentation, Rodri brought around 40 friends and family members with him who saw him officially put on the Atlético shirt.
According to onlookers, his grandmother was overcome by the moment by displaying the most emotion that day, thanks to the realization of her grandson’s dream.
Despite enjoying his popularity, Rodri’s family members are concerned about one thing. Now, let me tell you what had once transpired.
Rodri’s Family members, including his parents, once advised him not to buy a secondhand Opel Corsa but a better car for his safety during his journeys from Madrid to Castellon.
Did you know?…
Rodri, the superstar who made it to the provisional Spain Euros squad, declined the offer, expressing his bewilderment at the idea of spending so much on a car. A close source revealed,
“he once stated that some friends were ‘crazy’ for splurging on fancy cars, emphasizing that a car should simply serve the purpose of getting you from point A to point B, nothing more.”
Rodri Facts:
As of the time of writing, Rodri is just about to cement his place in Spain’s starting eleven. The likes of Sergio Busquets, Saul Níguez and Thiago Alcântara are still at the peak of their powers. It’s only a matter of time before he outranks them.
