Having played for massive clubs such as Villareal, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, Rodri has had the pleasure of going toe-to-toe with some of the best players in the world.
Winning the European Championship with Spain in the summer as well, Rodri played against big-hitters such as Luka Modric, Jamal Musiala, Kylian Mbappe and Phil Foden as well.
A crucial reason behind the midfield maestro’s decision to sign for Manchester City in the first place would have been to play in the Premier League — which hosts a majority of the finest players in world football.
It’s safe to say that the 28-year-old has looked right at home amongst the crème de la crème of players in world football.
In the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s men have competed for titles with great Liverpool and Arsenal teams over the years.
Rodri suffered the bitter taste of defeat by ending up on the losing side of a title race to Jurgen Klopp’s team who accrued a staggering 99 points as they became the champions of England in 2020.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Rodri says Mohamed Salah is his most difficult opponent over Lionel Messi now
Liverpool’s title-winners are rightly regarded as one of the greatest teams to have ever played in the Premier League.
Similarly, both of Arsenal’s second-placed sides in 2022 (86 points to Manchester City’s 89) and 2023 (89 points to City’s 91) respectively would have won the title in a majority of other league seasons.
During an interview with El Partidazo de COPE, Rodri disclosed that the toughest player he has come up against in his career used to be Lionel Messi but now, it is Mohamed Salah.
“[Lionel] Messi before and now [Mohamed] Salah, especially at Anfield, who is a knife.”
The £34.3 million (Sky Sports) man has a phenomenal record against Manchester City.
| SALAH RECORD VS MAN CITY IN ALL COMPS | ||
| MATCHES | GOALS | ASSISTS |
| 21 | 11 | 6 |
Salah famously scored twice and assisted a goal over two legs in Liverpool’s 5-1 demolition job of City in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2018.
The Egyptian’s incredible solo goal as well as his incisive assist for the Reds in their dramatic 2-2 draw against Manchester City in 2021 remains one of the best performances of his illustrious career as well.
What is Rodri’s record against Liverpool?
The Spaniard’s heroic block to save Fabinho’s goal-bound shot off the line also remains one the hallmark moments of his time in England.
Manchester City will certainly be hoping Rodri’s absence does not stop them in their tracks as they aim to get a famous win at Anfield in December.
Big characters such as the Ballon d’Or winner are crucial for any side to take on one of the best teams in the world. Here is Rodri’s record against Liverpool.
| RODRI RECORD VS LIVERPOOL | |||
| MATCHES | WINS | DRAWS | LOSSES |
| 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
Rodri would largely be satisfied with how he has rarely ever lost against the Reds.
But a player of his calibre would have been hoping to lock horns with Salah next month.
The former Roma winger himself would have been itching to face the four-time Premier League winner.
Pep Guardiola will have to discover a way to set his side up to remain solid in Rodri’s absence against Arne Slot’s free-scoring side.
