Despite a few difficult years at club level prior to joining Leeds United, Joe Rodon is already set to win his 50th cap for Wales.
Wales come up against Iceland in Cardiff this evening in their final Nations League match needing to better Turkey’s result in Montenegro to finish top of Group B4.
Rodon has remained a consistent figure for Wales over the last few years and ahead of making his 50th international appearance, Leeds teammate Dan James has already tipped him to win 100.
Wales’ 0-0 draw in Turkey on Friday night so Rodon produce a typically heroic performance at the back, even despite playing the majority of the match with a protective headband.
He will be hoping to produce a similar performance against Iceland to mark a real landmark moment in his career in the best possible fashion.
Bellamy shares what he once text Rodon at Spurs
Rodon has performed at a really high level for Leeds in the 15 months he has been at Elland Road, which has also helped his form on the international stage.
However, prior to joining Leeds, Rodon had been stuck at a bit of a crossroads in his career, having been unwanted at Spurs after a mediocre loan spell at Rennes.
Even during his struggles at club level, though, Rodon never allowed that to affect his performances for Wales, playing a key role under Ryan Giggs, Rob Page and most recently Craig Bellamy.
Bellamy is now set to be the manager with the honour of handing Rodon his 50th cap and has certainly not shied away from lavishing him with praise in the media.
But even during a tough spell at Spurs, Bellamy insisted he always knew Rodon would be a ‘top player’, texting him as such following a mistake he made against Liverpool.
He told Wales Online: “I remember when he was at Spurs and he made that mistake against Liverpool, I texted him, saying ‘keep your head up, you’re going to be a top player’.”
Rodon shares injury update to ease Leeds worries
As mentioned, Rodon suffered a nasty head knock in Wales’ 0-0 draw away in Turkey, which required him to receive treatment for several minutes.
That sight is one Leeds fans have become accustomed to with Rodon in the last year or so, with that certainly not the first time the 27-year-old has put his head in where it hurts.
Speaking after the game, Rodon eased any worries about a potential injury by confirming he was ‘okay’.
He said: “To be fair, I’m used to it in the Championship, it’s every other week if I’m honest. It is what it is, a mix-up, but we’re both okay and that’s the main thing.”
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