Rodri: The story so far...

Rodri celebrates his 30th birthday today.

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In the near seven years since he joined Manchester City, it’s no exaggeration to say the Spanish holding midfielder has proved to be one of the most important signings even made by the Club.

Alongside helping the Club accrue a huge collection of silverware, Rodri’s world class displays also saw him named the 2024 Ballon d’Or - becoming the first Manchester City recipient of the game’s ultimate individual accolade

To mark his special landmark, we take a look at Rodri’s impact and key moments across his memorable time at City to date

Games: 298

Rodri is on the cusp of hitting the 300-game mark for City and it’s fair to say than when fit and available he is one of the first names on the team sheet.

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His world class quality has been in evident across all competitions with the Spaniard starting 265 of that tally of matches.

The fact he was crowned the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner served to perfectly encapsulate his immense value to City.

Furthermore, such has been Rodri’s consistency that but for the serious knee injury that kept him sidelined for the best part of a year from September 2024, that tally would also be far, far higher.

File under indispensable.

Goals: 28

He may be deployed as a holding midfielder, but Rodri is no stranger to cropping up with goals – often finding the target at crucial moments.

Rodri it was whose first half header ultimately proved the difference as City beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Wembley to win the 2020 Carabao Cup final.

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Then there were his brilliant last day strikes against both Aston Villa (2022) and West Ham (2024) which were key in helping City seal victory to clinch the Premier League title.

And, above all, there was the iconic strike in Istanbul in June 2023 which fired City to a 1-0 UEFA Champions League final victory over Internazionale and into history as we sealed the Treble.

The man for the big occasion.

Assists: 30

A supreme operator both tactically and technically, Rodri’s vision and game awareness has meant he has also weighed in with numerous key assists for his colleagues in Blue.

While his power and precision has meant he has been crucial in thwarting opposition danger and creating the fulcrum from which City can launch attacks, such is his quality, he is also a big threat in an offensive role.

Finding the right moment at the right time to open up opportunities for his team mates is another vital facet of his game.

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Tackles: 544

A tall, powerful and commanding presence on the pitch, Rodri is also the master at timely interventions that both break up opposition threats and ensure City regain swift possession of the ball.

His natural intelligence – this is a man after all who successfullu studied for a business degree alongside his professional football duties – allied to supreme reading of the game have seen him set the standard for what constitutes a world class holding midfielder.

For club and county it has proved an irresistible set of qualities.

Minutes played: 22,918

Rodri averages a shade just under 77 minutes per game across his City career tally of 298 matches to date.

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That figure would have been even higher but for the fact the Spaniard’s return and match minutes were carefully monitored following his return in 2025 from the knee injury that saw him sidelined for a lengthy spell from the autumn of 2024.

However, at the big moments when the pressure and intensity is at its most intense, Rodri remains one of the pivotal parts of City’s armoury.

Trophies won: 13

Rodri and success have become regular companions ever since he made the move to the Etihad in the summer of 2019.

All told, Rodri has helped the Club amass a remarkable total of 13 major trophies in that time.

It’s a haul that features four Premier Leagues, three League Cups, two FA Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield.

A serial winner in ever way!

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Career Games: 429

Including his previous spells with Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, Rodri has already well surpassed the 400-game tally.

From the moment he made his professional senior debut with Villarreal back in 2015 as a 19-year-old, Rodri’s huge potential was already apparent.

And across the huge demands of both La Liga as well as the Premier League and on the continental stage, the holding midfielder has proved a player of a rare and true distinction.

Career Goals: 33

Goals are far from the defining currency for a player deployed in Rodri’s position.

But the fact he he has weighed in with such an impressive tally only serves to demonstrate the Spaniard’s quality when opportunity arises in front of goal.

Spain

Games played: 64 Goals: 4

Not just a supreme operator on the domestic stage, Rodri’s impact has also been felt across the international spectrum with Spain.

Currently a key part of the Spnaish side who are tipped by many to lift the 2026 World Cup, Rodri was a fundamental figure in the Spain side that won the 2024 European Championships.

Now he will be striving to help his nation achieve what would be their second World Cup success.