Rodri: From Disaster to Winning Machine
Manchester City’s Rodri has long been recognized as one of the most influential players globally, and his recent Ballon d’Or win has solidified that status. Over the past 19 months, this Spanish holding midfielder has only faced one defeat for both club and country.
Unmatched Success
During this incredible period, Rodri has celebrated numerous victories, including:
- Champions League
- Two Premier League titles
- FA Cup
- UEFA Super Cup
- Club World Cup
- Nations League
- Euro 2024
Despite his stellar performance, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the rest of the 2024-25 season after suffering a ruptured ACL in September.
Impact on Manchester City
Since Rodri’s arrival at City in 2019, the team has seen a 21% loss rate without him compared to just 11% when he’s on the pitch. Following his Ballon d’Or triumph, it’s clear just how critical Rodri is, especially with his absence looming this season.
Filling Big Shoes
Rodri had big shoes to fill when he joined City, taking over from Fernandinho, a player many consider the best defensive midfielder in Premier League history. Yet, Rodri has established himself alongside legends like Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, and Claude Makélélé—with a unique flair for passing and scoring Champions League-winning goals.
A Humble Start
Rodri himself described his first season at City as a “disaster.” He shared with BBC Sport, “The holding midfielder has the most responsibilities. When the team struggles, it’s often your fault.” He acknowledged that adapting to the role was challenging, recalling, “I didn’t even know what they were talking about—just let me play football.”
Becoming Indispensable
As he evolved into a key player, Rodri became instrumental in breaking up attacks and facilitating plays for stars like Ilkay Gündogan and Kevin De Bruyne. His statistics since the start of the 2019-20 season are impressive, leading in:
- Total passes
- Successful passes in the opposition half
- Possession won
Defining Moments
Rodri scored one of the most significant goals in City’s history, netting the only goal in their Champions League final victory over Inter Milan, helping secure the 2022-23 Treble. He also had a remarkable season last year, scoring a career-best nine goals.
Peer Recognition
According to Mike Minay, BBC Radio Manchester’s City commentator, “In his position, he’s one of the best City has ever had.” Many now believe Rodri has surpassed even legends like Yaya Touré.
National Glory
Rodri’s impact extends to the international scene, where he was named the best player at Euro 2024, aiding Spain in clinching the trophy. Despite his injury during the final, his influence was evident as the team struggled without him.
Remarkable Statistics
In his 2023-24 record, Rodri achieved:
- Four trophies
- Only one loss in 75 matches
He remains unbeaten in 52 league games, marking the best run in Europe’s top leagues since his arrival.
Essential to City’s Success
Rodri’s presence significantly boosts City’s performance, winning 74% of matches with him, compared to 67% without him. His role is undeniable in a team that has dominated the league and secured a Champions League title.
Global Recognition
Now, as a Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri joins an elite group, becoming the first Spanish player to win since Luis Suárez in 1960 and the first defensive midfielder since Lothar Matthäus in 1990.
Julien Laurens, a French football journalist, stated, “Rodri has been the best player in the world for two seasons now… He is the most intelligent player in his position.” Spanish football expert Guillem Balague added, “Rodri has done everything needed at club and international levels, demonstrating his immense value.”
