Micah Richards has made an interesting claim ahead of Spain’s upcoming clash against France in the semi-final of Euro 2024.
Luis de la Fuente will be hoping Rodri is at his brilliant best as his side aim to qualify for the final of the European Championship — a feat they have not accomplished since winning the tournament in 2012.
The £62.5 million man will have a difficult task on his hands as France arguably have the best midfield at the competition.
The likes of N’Golo Kante, Aurelien Tchouameni and either of Eduardo Camavinga or Adrien Rabiot have formed a solid midfield trio.
While Didier Deschamps’ midfield lacks creativity, they are extremely challenging to breach.
Spain, on the other hand, have far more flair than France in the middle of the park, with Rodri expected to play behind Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo on Tuesday night.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Micah Richards gives Fabian Ruiz the edge over Man City midfielder in one area
The Manchester City maestro is yet to be involved in such a high-profile game for Spain at the international level.
Winning the UEFA Nations League in 2023 was a matter of prestige for the Spanish but the European Championship is arguably football’s most revered prize after the World Cup in the international circuit.
As Spain gear up to face France at the Allianz Arena, Micah Richards has claimed that Ruiz is superior with the ball at his feet than Rodri.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards said: “But Fabian Ruiz, I watched him play in the Champions League for Napoli and the way he moves…he’s a bit better on the ball than Rodri. He can play better balls probably forward.”
“But he’s just so elegant on the ball as well and in the Champions League, I can’t remember who it was, I was like, ‘he’s going big places.’ Then, he goes to PSG, does the same at PSG, does exactly the same.”
Rodri is certainly a notch above Fabian Ruiz with the ball at his feet
As a dribbler, Micah Richards would be spot if he mentioned Ruiz being better than Rodri.
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has showcased how nifty his footwork is at Euro 2024 by scoring a remarkable solo goal from the edge of the box in Spain’s 3-0 win against Croatia.
But apart from his dribbling, Ruiz is not better passer than Rodri — especially when it comes to his forward passing, which Micah Richards highlighted.
Not only can the four-time Premier League winner play switches to the likes of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal with ease but last season, he registered 14 assists in all competitions and nine in the Premier League.
Ruiz, on the other hand, assisted three goals in Ligue 1 and seven in all competitions.
Creatively, Rodri is superior and when it comes to their striking of the ball as well, the statistics favour the 28-year-old.
The former Atletico Madrid midfielder scored eight league goals last season and nine in total while Ruiz scored one league goal and three across all competitions.
Rodri’s outstanding strikes include his brilliant equaliser against Georgia in the Round of 16 clash against Georgia, his immaculate half-volley against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane and his stunner against West Ham on the final day of the season amongst many.
Both players are similarly brilliant in tight areas but the ex-Villareal anchor’s imposing frame and mastery of shielding the ball makes it tougher to dispossess him.
As a result, Richards’ claim does not quite hold up when discussing Rodri in this regard.
