Since joining Manchester City in 2019, the midfield player has been a key player for his Catalan manager, but the last two seasons have seen the 27-year-old at the pinnacle of his abilities.

The captain of Spain was instrumental in helping the English champions complete an unprecedented triple at the end of the previous campaign. He was also voted Player of the Tournament after scoring the game’s lone goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League final.

 

Since receiving a three-match ban and a red card against Nottingham Forest in recent weeks, Rodri’s continued significance to Guardiola’s team has increased significantly.

Man City lost to Wolves and Arsenal in the Premier League and to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. Without the midfield dynamo, the team has lost all three of their domestic matches.

 

Rodri has praised training with Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola (left) for improving his game since moving there in 2019.

 

The midfielder has been a key member of Guardiola’s team and helped them win a treble.

 

The 27-year-old was severely missed by Man City following his September red card against Nottingham Forest.

However, Rodri was eager to emphasize that Guardiola has given him just as much in return in an interview with El Partidazo de Cope.

 

“In my career, he is the most influential coach,” Rodri remarked of the former Barcelona manager. “He has helped me to a level I never knew he was capable of.”

I ask, “Why don’t they (the opposition) do this?” when I grow accustomed to living with him and find that everything is simpler. You have more tools than everyone else when he hands you a toolbox.

I draw attention to the fact that moving less allows one to utilize places more effectively. Few players have he not elevated to the top level?

 

However, the midfielder, who played for Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid prior to moving north, also withheld appreciation from the player for the former coach.

When he improved his skills, Rodri emphasized that the Argentine head coach could awaken “a competitiveness, a hunger.”

Alongside him, I also grew a lot, Rodri continued. “They suggest various football styles, but that’s what makes football so beautiful.”

 

Identifying his goal as being “better than (Sergio Busquets),” the Spanish captain paused to consider a productive international break.

Spain defeated their opponents 0–0 in both of their European tournament qualifying matches, scoring two goals at home against Scotland and holding rival Erling Haaland at bay in a 1-0 triumph in Oslo.

Keeping him quiet had been “to his credit,” Rodri laughed, adding that he had given his national team-mates advice on how to contain the goal-scoring monster.

 

In addition, Rodri withheld praise for Diego Simeone, his former Atletico manager, for igniting “hunger.”

“I had a conversation with those who would be covering him.” “(Aymeric) Laporte already knew him, and I gave some guidelines to the rest,” Rodri went on. We performed admirably.

 

There are no pals on the national team; you have to find areas where he is weaker. There aren’t many weaknesses with him.

Rodri will probably return to City’s starting lineup for their first game following the international break—a match against Brighton at the Etihad—after his mandated rest.

Guardiola’s team will play their third Champions League match against Swiss team Young Boys in Bern four days later.