He was back to his best – Richards on Rodri | OneFootball

Micah Richards hailed Rodri’s impact for Spain in their World Cup win and praised former City boss Pep Guardiola for his pre-tournament premonition.

Men's Team

Rodri: World Cup winner

Our number 16 guided La Roja to their first Men’s triumph since 2010, becoming the first City player to captain a side to World Cup glory.

Rodri also won the 2026 Golden Ball, awarded to the FIFA World Cup Player of the Tournament.

FREE PRINTING ON RODRI SHIRTS

Spain - already reigning European champions - edged out Argentina 1-0 in extra time in New York.

Ex City manager Guardiola said back in October 2025 that the football world would see the best of our midfield lynchpin at this World Cup – and how right he was, according to Richards who played 245 times for City over 10 seasons.

Men's Team

Rodri joins illustrious list of greats after World Cup win

“Before the game we said how much of an impact he has in this midfield,” said Richards.

“From winning the Euros, to getting the Ballon d’Or, to winning the World Cup, to the Champions League.

“But also having the knee injury and then coming back. We’ve had knee injuries before, it’s very difficult to come back and a lot of people have written him off.

“Pep Guardiola said he’s going to be back at his best at the World Cup. He was absolutely right!

“And he was just the best midfielder in the tournament, hands down.

“His technical ability and his calmness on the ball just takes him to another level.

“What a trophy cabinet he has got at home, wow, fully deserved.”

Watch our 2026 tour games on CITY+!

Subscribe to CITY+ now to see all three of City’s games during our 2026 pre-season tour of Asia.

We start in Hong Kong against Italian champions Inter on Saturday 1 August, with kick-off at 12:30 (UK).

After that, we go to Seoul to play a K League All-Stars side on Wednesday 5 August and then Atletico Madrid on Sunday 9 August. Both games begin at 12:00 (UK).

All three will be available to watch on mancity.com and our official app for current CITY+ subscribers globally*.

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*City v Inter: Globally available except China, Italy 

K League All-Stars v City: Globally available except South Korea 

City v Atletico Madrid: Globally available except South Korea, Spain 

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