Rodri does not return enough to repair Manchester City, midfielder admits

Rodri insists that his return to Fitness Manchester City will not automatically transform back into his dominant best.

«I am not a Messi,» said the Ballon d’Or winner after making his first Premier League start for City in 11 months in the 2-1 defeat of the team against Brighton on Sunday.

The midfielder spent eight months aside with an ACL injury before he sustained a groin problem at the Club World Cup, which delayed his comeback.

He came up as a replacement against Tottenham before he started against Brighton, where the city lost both games.

In the 2023-24 season, City was unbeaten in all 34 Premier League matches that Rodri played when Pep Guardiola’s side achieved a fourth consecutive title.

«I’m not going to come back and let the team win and win,» he said. “This is a collective. When we won in the past, I needed all my teammates.

«I should definitely restore my best level … Hopefully we can get back much better after the (international) break.»

City opened the Premier League season with a 4-0 win at Wolverhampton, but there are doubts about whether Guardiola’s side has the depth to enter into a title challenge against Liverpool and Arsenal.

Rodri added: “I don’t care to be honest.

«People can think of what they want. We will concentrate on ourselves, work as hard as possible and talk at the end of the season.»

Published on September 1, 2025