Rodri’s recent return to fitness is a huge boost for Manchester City as they set their sights on returning to winning ways across multiple fronts next season.
Phil Foden paid Rodri the best possible compliment by naming him as City’s most important player and that too during the 2023/2024 season, where he went on to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
While Manchester City’s struggles during the previous campaign were not solely down to the Spaniard’s injury-enforced absence, it goes without saying that they sorely missed the midfielder.
Pep Guardiola likened Rodri to Lionel Messi and claimed that any team would find it difficult to sustain their status as top dogs without their best player.
Rodri in action for Manchester City v AFC Bournemouth.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Nathan Ake says Rodri is very vocal off the pitch
During the 2025/2026 season, Rodri has the chance to remind the world why he won the Ballon d’Or last year.
Pep Guardiola revealed Rodri is being eased in, which explains why he is yet to start both of Manchester City’s fixtures at the FIFA Club World Cup.
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However, Nathan Ake was quoted by ESPN as he emphasised that the midfield maestro’s return is brilliant news for City: “It’s great to have him back.”
Nathan Ake in action for Manchester City v Wydad AC at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“He’s a massive player for us. Obviously, it’s good for him to get minutes now. He’s been training for a while, so it’s good to see him back on the pitch. He’s massive for us off the pitch, on the pitch.”
Ake revealed that Rodri, who Pep Guardiola called a “true leader” is a vocal presence off the pitch: “He talks a lot, he’s dominant off the pitch as well. Talking to a lot of players, helping people. And on the pitch, I think it speaks for itself. He keeps us sticking together and physicality as well. It brings us a lot, so it’s massive for us that he’s back.”
What Rodri has done behind the scenes that shows he’s hungry after Man City return
The report by ESPN mentioned that ahead of Manchester City’s first training session in Florida ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, the 29-year-old was playing passes into one of the many coaches after asking him to accompany him during training.
On the other hand, the former Atletico Madrid conductor’s teammates were still making their way onto the pitch, which shows he is motivated to dominate club and international football again.
Ake’s words further exemplify that Rodri is an incredibly dedicated player who pushes others to meet his high standards.