Manchester City midfielder Rodri responds to Ronaldo's criticism, discusses his recovery and indicates when he will play again.
Manchester City fell apart without Rodrigo (Madrid, 1996). There can be little doubt about that. A serious injury has sidelined the Spanish midfielder, but he has not ruled out playing again this season. He is currently working tirelessly every day (“more than before”) to recover as quickly as possible and get back on the field.
In the meantime, he watches with pain as Pep Guardiola's team has become a very different proposition without him. Despite this, dissenting voices, including that of Cristiano Ronaldo, continue to question whether Rodri deserved the Ballon d'Or. The evidence suggests that there is no player in world football who has more influence on his team than him.
Winning the Ballon d'Or was crazy, right? What about now that it's sunk?
Yes, it changed my life. I've talked about this with people close to me. Maybe I wasn't aware of it when I won, but it changed my life. The scale of going out in public is no longer the same. Of course, I can no longer do many things that I used to do. But there is a good reason for that: it is because of the recognition I have received and it has been so important to me and my family. It was an unforgettable moment.
What do you think of Cristiano Ronaldo's recent comments about the Ballon d'Or, questioning your victory and saying Vinicius deserved the award?
Well, it's honestly a surprise, because he knows better than anyone how this prize works and especially how the winner is chosen. This year the journalists who voted decided that I should win the award. These same journalists probably voted for him to win the election at some point, and I imagine he agreed with them at the time.
Does the positive of the Ballon d'Or outweigh the negative of the ACL injury?
My philosophy in life is that you have to take things as they come. You shouldn't feel too sorry for yourself when things don't go your way, or go crazy when you win the Ballon d'Or. God has given me what He has given me, and I am super grateful. I have to deal with everything, including injuries, and move forward.
How do you deal with the injury?
Psychologically much better than I expected. It's what I imagined in terms of pain. The first month is very tough, but mentally things are going better than I thought. I mean the desire to play again, things like that. I'm doing pretty well. I think my body also benefited from the break. Not because of the injury, but in other ways. I try to enjoy other things that we don't normally have in our lives.
What does your daily routine look like?
Full throttle, full throttle. I mean, I'm doing three or four times as much as I would on a normal day. Three o'clock in the morning and then I receive treatment at home in the afternoon. We alternate: rehabilitation, physio… but non-stop.
Dr. Leyes, who operated on you, said the longer you have a break, the better.
Yes, he says that (laughs). Surgeons think more about whether their operation goes well than about an athlete's performance again. It's more the rehabilitation specialists who usually give you a more accurate reference.”
Do you see yourself playing again this season?
Yes, yes, yes. Moreover, I know myself; I am someone who recovers well, someone with a positive attitude. They say mental strength is crucial to recovery. I can tell you that everything is going very well. Of course I want to play again this season.
You said earlier that your body needed a break, which seems obvious, but it wasn't great for your team, City.
No. I always say that when there are absences in certain positions, the team feels it. We have experienced this in previous years with De Bruyne or other players who have been out for a long time. It is a period when the team has to stay together. I know we are going through a difficult time, a time that may be difficult to digest and where we are not finding our rhythm, but at the end of the day that is part of any sport. You have to pick yourself up again. The good thing is that there is still time left in the season. That changes things enormously. Football is changing. I don't think this period will ultimately be of great significance, either for good or for bad. You go through phases during the year. The seasons are longer now and it is important to be mature and stay calm. Obviously you can't relax or think that it will change overnight. That doesn't happen in football. It should improve gradually. We are in a situation, I would say, that is a little bit critical. We have to try to win, but without panicking.
Will we see Rodrigo playing in the Nations League at the end of the season? Or with City at the Club World Cup?
Yes, I think so. I don't want to confirm anything, but my plan is to try to come back a little earlier. That's what I have in mind. Those are the two big tournaments I have in mind this year.
The national team needs Rodrigo, the city needs Rodrigo… does football need Rodrigo?
And I need my team, my national team and football! The desire to return is mutual. During my Ballon d'Or tribute at the Etihad, and on the days I supported my teammates from the stands, I was eager to be with them again. I miss them. I had to come home.
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