In the clash against Sunderland, the Spanish midfielder finally put an end to an extremely tough period – he has been plagued by injuries this season, clocking just 415 minutes across 8 appearances in total. His last outing dates back to November 2 last year, followed by a long and arduous rehabilitation process. He was first named in the matchday squad for the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest; though unused, it sent a positive signal that his comeback was on the horizon.
His true return statement came against Sunderland. Despite Nico González’s impressive recent form, Pep Guardiola brought Rodri on after half-time. In just 45 minutes, Rodri reclaimed control of the game’s tempo: orchestrating play, dictating tactical rhythm, and providing solutions when the team needed it most. Lacking match sharpness and continuity, his dominance on the pitch remained undiminished.
Guardiola did not hesitate to name him the best player of the second half, and clearly stated the impact of his absence on the team: “Rodri changed the game. He proved in 45 minutes that he is the best in the world in this position. With him on the pitch, our build-up pressure is significantly relieved. He can break through the opponent’s defensive line, make the team play more fluently and move more rationally… We missed him so much, and he makes this team better.”
Stats bore witness to his immediate control: Rodri led the game in completed passes (52), final-third passes (28) and progressive actions (7). From the first touch, he became the absolute conductor of the match.
Man City’s plan moving forward is clear: proceed with caution and manage his game time gradually. Guardiola stressed the need to nurture the long-injured player with care, but the reality is that Rodri has taken the most crucial step – he has fully recovered physically and mentally, returning with confidence and fearlessness.
This is not only great news for Man City, but also a huge boost for the Spanish national team. Rodri is the tactical linchpin of manager Luis de la Fuente’s system, the key man to balance the game and orchestrate tempo. Spain needs a midfield commander at the peak of his powers. When Rodri is in top form, everything falls into place – for Man City, for Spain, and for football itself.
Notably, Rodri will enter the final year of his Man City contract next summer, and Real Madrid are looking to seize this opportunity to sign the midfield maestro. This is clearly familiar territory for the Blancos, who often move at such junctures to reduce transfer costs. If a new contract is not agreed by then, Man City will be forced to consider a sale.
