Manchester City’s Rodri: “I’m not Messi” as he tempers comeback expectations
Manchester City’s Rodri: “I’m not Messi” as he tempers comeback expectations
Rodri insists his return to fitness will not automatically transform Manchester City back into its dominant best.
“I’m not Messi,” the Ballon d’Or winner said after making his first Premier League start for City in 11 months in the team’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday.
The midfielder spent eight months sidelined with an ACL injury before suffering a groin problem at the Club World Cup, which delayed his comeback.
He came on as a substitute against Tottenham before starting against Brighton, with City losing both games.
In the 2023-24 season, City went unbeaten in all 34 Premier League matches that Rodri played as Pep Guardiola’s side clinched a fourth successive title.
“I’m not going to come back and make the team win and win,” he said. “This is a collective. When we won in the past, I needed all my teammates.
“For sure I have to recover my best level … Hopefully after the (international) break we can come back much better.”
City opened the Premier League season with a 4-0 win at Wolverhampton, but doubts remain about whether Guardiola’s side has the depth to sustain a title challenge against Liverpool and Arsenal.
Rodri added: “To be honest, I don’t care.
“People can think what they want. We will focus on us, work as hard as possible and let’s talk at the end of the season.”
Published on Sep 01, 2025
