Rodri’s spectacular winner in Saturday night’s UEFA Champions League final capped off a stunning season from Manchester City’s midfield lynchpin.
Rodri has been ever present for City this season. He is one of City’s most important players. His winner was a fitting reward for all of the work he gets through for City in the engine room.
Rodri is one of the first names on the City team sheet, highlighted by the fact he has featured 56 times for City this season in all competitions.
It is a massive credit to him the amount of work he gets through, as he is without doubt Manchester City’s most important player. Without his grunt work City’s free flowing football isn’t possible.
At times you just have to marvel at how effortless Rodri makes one of the toughest roles in football seem.
Rodri made a slow start to his Manchester City career in his debut season. It took time for the Spanish midfield general to adjust to Guardiola’s demands.
Rodri made the move to Manchester City in 2019. He was a squad player at first, deputising for City legend Fernandinho as he adapted to his new home and role.
He also famously missed the 2021 Champions League final loss to Chelsea, as Guardiola went in a different tactical direction for that game.
There won’t be a repeat of that infamous selection anytime soon. Rodri has solidified his place as the best holding midfielder in the world the past season.
He has also popped up at crucial moments with vital goals. His goal in Manchester City’s famous comeback on the final day of last season against Aston Villa comes to mind. It set the scene for Ilkay Gundogan’s heroics minutes later.
Another vital goal came for City’s Spanish workhorse in the Champions League Quarter final first leg against Bayern Munich. Rodri’s rocket gave City the vital boost needed after a tense start to the tie.
Rodri vs Bayern Munich has been named #UCL Goal of the Week! 🚀pic.twitter.com/gh2JTKqLIH
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) April 14, 2023
Yet another vital goal was to come in Saturday’s Champions League final. When the game was getting tense, and Inter seemingly keeping City at bay up stepped Rodri to fire City into the lead.
The goal won City their maiden Champions League title. It’s a goal that will go down with Aguero’s title winner in 2011/12 and Gundogan’s heroics last season.
It’s a fitting reward for Rodri in a season that will go down in Manchester City folklore. For his heroics last night and the entire season City fans are forever grateful.
