- The Manchester City midfielder has criticized Real Madrid’s position on the Ballon d’Or
- Rodri also revealed his excitement after seeing Pep Guardiola sign a new contract
- Liverpool correspondent LEWIS STEELE tells all in bombshell chat with Mo Salah – LISTEN NOW It all starts! New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Rodri has heaped praise on Pep Guardiola’s decision to extend his stay at Manchester City, while also cooling down suggestions of a future move to Real Madrid, after insisting he has lost ‘respect’ for the club.
The City midfielder was crowned the best player in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October, a move that caused surprises around the world. Many – including Madrid – expected Vinicius Jr. would win the award.
His recognition as the best in the world was celebrated by City, but his absence has never been greater than now. The reigning Premier League champions have struggled drastically in his absence as Rodri recovers from a long-term injury.
The 28-year-old suffered a season-ending ACL injury just a few games into the new campaign and required extensive surgery on the ligament tear, which is expected to take the remainder of the season to fully heal.
Meanwhile, City are currently enjoying their worst ever run under Guardiola, losing five games in a row, putting their title defense in serious doubt, and collapsing against Feyenoord in midweek, potentially preventing the club from reaching the knockout stages of the to reach the Champions League.
It looked like Guardiola might leave City at the end of the season before signing a new two-year contract extension. Rodri called the legendary manager ‘incredible’ and praised him for being ‘influential’ on his career.
Rodri was recently crowned the world’s best player after winning the Ballon d’Or title
Real Madrid snubbed Ballon d’Or ceremony after discovering Vinicius Jnr (left) would not win the award with Rodri after praising City boss Pep Guardiola (right)
‘Pep has the desire to get better every day. He won everything, he doesn’t have to do this. He’s hungry to go again, and that’s why I’m so excited he’s decided to stay,” Rodri told The Rest Is Football podcast.
‘He takes you into his room and tells you tactics, he’s always there for sessions. He demands of you and if someone doesn’t push you every day, you won’t grow.
“He’s an incredible worker. Of course he’s the best. The titles speak for themselves, but also for Spain, Germany and England – he has been influential everywhere.’
Rodri’s own future at the club is also under scrutiny after the Euro 2024 winner openly admitted he would consider a future move to Santiago Bernabeu.
He is currently under contract with Etihad until 2027, by which time he will be playing in his 30s, labeling the Spanish giants ‘the best club in history’ after being asked about Madrid’s interest.
However, Madrid turned down the Ballon d’Or ceremony where Rodri emerged victorious after learning the City star would beat Brazilian winger Vinicius Jnr to the prestigious title and have since continued to criticize the decision.
Now Rodri has hit back at Madrid’s position, furious that he ‘cannot respect’ the club’s sour decision not to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.
‘I can’t describe the emotion [of winning the Ballon d’Or]. In my generation [we] All I see is two guys winning the trophy [Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo]he said.
Rodri is currently under contract with Etihad until 2027. By then he will be playing in his thirties
The 28-year-old suffered a season-ending ACL injury in September but is looking to be back before the end of the season
City put on a spectacular show to celebrate Rodri’s Ballon d’Or achievement ahead of their midweek draw against Feyenoord
‘I cannot respect the decision [of Madrid not to turn up to the ceremony,’
‘In sport and in life, it’s important to win. But I think even more how to lose, and I say always the same – it was my moment, I didn’t want to speak about others.
‘They didn’t want to be there – I want to be with my club, with my family, the people that were there and clapped me, and that was a fantastic moment,’ he added.
Rodri also revealed how he could play a part in City’s end-of-season run-in depending on the progress he continues to make with his injury rehabilitation.