According to Diario Sport, Rodri and Yamal were key figures in Spain's World Cup victory. Despite an 11-year age gap, they get along well and respect each other; Rodri is like an older brother to the Barcelona youth academy player.

Rodri's affection and interest in Yamal and his football career are very evident. SPORT has compiled a few messages, predictions, and suggestions from the player, who is still playing for Manchester City, to Yamal, demonstrating the rapport between the two, which will certainly be helpful to Barcelona.

You can have everything you want.

After Spain defeated England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on July 14, Rodri walked up to Yamal and said to him earnestly and kindly, "Keep going, brother, because you can get anything you want."

Rodri later recalled the phrase on one of the most special days of his career: the Ballon d'Or ceremony on October 28, 2024.

Rodri, Yamal, or Messi: Who will win the Ballon d'Or?

You'll win the Globe Award very soon.

Rhodes stood on the stage and said to Yamal, who was sitting in the audience at the Theatre de Châteauneuf-du-Champaign, "You're right here. I think you'll win the Ballon d'Or soon." He then added, "Keep working hard, just like I told you in the final, you have everything ahead of you."

"Yamaal is like a wild beast."

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Rodri gave an interview to DAZN's Relevado program. He mentioned his "little brother" again, saying, "One day he will win the Ballon d'Or because he is a beast. He is the present and the future of Spanish football."

During the World Cup, before the semi-final against France, Rodri publicly gave Yamar some advice as the "big brother," and he probably said the same thing in private as well.

Rodri and Yamal celebrate winning the World Cup / X

He needs to calm his anxiety.

Rodri spoke at length about Yamal. Here are a few of the most interesting quotes:

“I think he sometimes needs to calm down a bit about that anxiety of wanting to prove himself. He is very important to us, he can play both with and without the ball, and he is very smart. Indeed, he is only 19 years old, and he needs to calm down at certain moments in the game.”

"He's a very mature kid, but there's still room for improvement in understanding the rhythm of the game. That's normal given his age, but we all know what level he's already at."

“I always urge him to keep going, even if the referee doesn’t call a foul. But he’s a person who is willing to listen and learn, and most importantly, he is a role model in his behavior.”

"Football and energy are in his blood."

Finally, in an interview before the DAZN vs. Argentina final, Rodri was asked whether Yamal, as Spain's captain, needed encouragement or reassurance. Rodri replied, "This kind of kid has energy in his body; that direct forward drive is innate. A lot of the time, what we need to do is give him advice, because football is ingrained in his bones. He's clearly developing."

These words, spoken by the best player of the previous World Cup, and addressed to someone destined to achieve all goals, carry significant weight. Barcelona fans are in for a treat.