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Rodri: I'm so excited to be back
- Manchester City face Juventus in their final group outing, needing a win to top the section
- The return of midfield dynamo Rodri from a long-term injury has revitalised the team
- Spaniard hails a new mentality in the City dressing room
Rodri's absence was certainly a key factor in Manchester City’s less than stellar performance last season. His injury left coach Pep Guardiola without one of the cornerstones of his dressing room and of his midfield, a player who has been a driving force for both his club and the Spanish national team.
Having suffered a serious ACL injury in his right knee, as well as sustaining meniscus damage, during Man City's clash with Arsenal on 22 September 2024, he was required to undergo surgery, which sidelined him for several months.
The 29-year-old finally took to the field once again on 20 May 2025, when Man City took on Bournemouth. At the FIFA Club World Cup™, the midfielder featured for around thirty minutes in each of his team's first two games, getting minutes under his belt as he works his way back to fitness.
"I feel very good, very happy to be here," Rodri said ahead of his side's crucial, final group match against Juventus FC. "I'm really excited to join the team again, to join them on the pitch. That's the most important thing.
"The Club World Cup is a great opportunity to come back at the highest level and play a tournament we’ve never played and we are all excited for that. You can see the difference between the clubs all around the world. It's good and interesting for the people."
The Spaniard also spoke about how difficult it was to see his team struggle and about the work they are doing to return to being the side everyone has come to know: "It's been a tough season not only for the team, also for me, because I sometimes saw them suffering. I think we have shown in the last two games that Man City have another face and we are working to once again be the team we were not so long ago.
"There have been a lot of changes with the staff, and also new players coming in. But now we're focused on this tournament, because it is an opportunity to win and redeem a not-so-good season. The team fought until the end and got to qualify for the Champions League, which was not easy.
"We are improving. The new arrivals are settling in and when we are all together we will continue to grow as a team."
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Looking ahead to the group deciding clash with Juve, Rodri knows just how stern a challenge the Italian giants will present. "It is going to be very competitive, they play one-against-one, across the whole pitch, so it will be very physically demanding. We know that, if we want to top the group, we have to beat them. My feeling is that, having seen the last two games, they are raising their level with young players so it's going to be a good test."
Finally fit and healthy again, the Spanish midfielder is hoping to return soon to being a driving force in Guardiola's side, just as he has been in recent years, and get back to doing what he loves most: playing football.
