“I’ve been at the top level since January” – Rodri on Manchester City form after come-and-get-me Real Madrid call | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Rodri has assessed his form in recent months after an an injury-ravaged 15 months at the Etihad Stadium.

The 29-year-old suffered an ACL injury in September 2024 that kept him on the sidelines for nine months, following which he returned in time for Manchester City‘s commitments at last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

However, it was one step forward, two steps back for the Spain international in the United States as he suffered a fitness setback that delayed his start to the 2025-26 season and saw him miss City’s opening Premier League games against Wolves and Tottenham.

After a positive run of games in the side, Rodri suffered a hamstring injury in early October that did not see him return to regular football until January, with the midfielder lifting the lid on his form this year in various media appearances during the international break.

“Mentally, you have a lot of feelings”

Speaking after Manchester City’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal at Wembley last week, Rodri said: “It’s such an incredible thing to be back playing regularly,” as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

“I’d been doubting many things including if I was going to be able to come back. Physically you’re in pain. Mentally you have a lot of feelings.

“I really questioned myself, but getting to a place like where I’m at now, it makes me proud of the process I’ve lived. Now it’s about enjoying being back where I want to be.”

In an interview with Radioestadio Noche, the Ballon d’Or winner added: “I’ve been at the top level for three months now – since January, I’ve felt like the Rodri of old.”

Rodri: When we don’t win for a year, it feels like a long time

City won their first trophy in two seasons at Wembley last week and having spent a large portion of the last 18 months on the sidelines, Rodri has admitted that it was only when he was out of action that he felt the weight of expectations that come with the sky blue shirt.

“When you go through a time like I’ve been through, you have time to think,” the former Atletico Madrid man added. “We’re very lucky to enjoy our profession and sometimes when you’re involved in battles to win you don’t realise a lot.

“When it’s taken away, you appreciate what you take for granted. At Manchester City, we’re used to demands of trophies. When we don’t win for a year, it feels a long time. I know how difficult it is to win, that drives me to get more. It feels like a challenge.

“Are you able to do it again? Are you able to sustain the level? That’s the mentality of this team. The manager (Pep Guardiola) is the one who teaches us that. He’s the first with such desperation and hunger to win again and again, even though he’s won so much.”

Rodri has flirted with the idea of joining Real Madrid as he approaches the final year of his current Manchester City contract, with executives at the Etihad Stadium expected to hold renewal talks with the Spaniard’s representatives in the coming months.