Micah Richards has made an unusual remark before of Spain’s Euro 2024 semi-final match versus France.

Luis de la Fuente will be hoping Rodri is at his magnificent best as his team attempts to reach the final of the European Championship, a thing they have not achieved since winning the competition in 2012.

The £62.5 million man will face a difficult challenge, as France has perhaps the finest midfield in the competition.

N’Golo Kante, Aurelien Tchouameni, and either Eduardo Camavinga or Adrien Rabiot make up a formidable midfield combination.

While Didier Deschamps’ midfield lacks creativity, they are incredibly difficult to penetrate.

In contrast, Spain has significantly more flair in the middle of the park than France, with Rodri set to play behind Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo on Tuesday night.

Micah Richards gives Fabian Ruiz the advantage over Man City midfielder in one area.

The Manchester City star has yet to play in such a high-profile game for Spain at international level.

Winning the UEFA Nations League in 2023 was a source of pride for the Spanish, but the European Championship is undoubtedly football’s most coveted title after the World Cup on the international circuit.

As Spain prepares to face France at the Allianz Arena, Micah Richards claims that Ruiz is better with the ball at his feet than Rodri.

Richards stated on The Rest Is Football podcast that Fabian Ruiz is a greater ball-player than Rodri, citing his performance in the Champions League for Napoli. He can play better balls, most likely forward.

“But he’s just so elegant on the ball, and in the Champions League, I don’t remember who it was, I was like, ‘He’s going places.'” Then he goes to PSG and does the same thing.

Rodri is definitely a grade above Fabian Ruiz with the ball at his feet.Micah Richards would be correct if he stated that Ruiz is better than Rodri.

The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder demonstrated his impressive footwork at Euro 2024 by scoring a stunning solo goal from the edge of the box in Spain’s 3-0 victory over Croatia.

Apart from his dribbling, Ruiz is not a better passer than Rodri, particularly when it comes to forward passing, as Micah Richards noted.

Not only can the four-time Premier League winner easily swap between Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, but he also had 14 assists in all competitions last season, nine of which came in the Premier League.

Ruiz, on the other hand, assisted three goals in Ligue 1 and seven across all competitions.

Rodri is superior in terms of creativity, and the statistics also favour the 28-year-old in terms of ball striking.

The former Atletico Madrid midfielder scored eight league goals last season and nine in total, while Ruiz has one league goal and three in all competitions.

Rodri’s finest goals include a fantastic equaliser against Georgia in the Round of 16 match, a beautiful half-volley against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, and a stunner against West Ham on the final day of the season, among others.

Both players are equally adept in tight spaces, but the ex-Villareal anchor’s intimidating stature and skill of ball shielding make him more difficult to dispossess.

As a result, Richards’ claim does not stand up when considering Rodri in this context.