Premier League
Manchester City have fallen apart without Rodrigo (Madrid, 1996). Of that there can be little doubt. A serious injury has sidelined the Spanish midfielder, but he hasn’t ruled out playing again this season. At present, he’s working tirelessly every day (“more than before”) to recover as quickly as possible and get back on the field.
In the meantime, he’s been watching on in agony as Pep Guardiola team’s has become a completely different proposition without him. Despite that, dissenting voices, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s, continue to question whether Rodri deserved the Ballon d’Or. The evidence suggests there’s no player in world soccer who’s more influential for his team than him.
Winning the Ballon d’Or was crazy, right? What about now that it’s sunk in?
Yes, it has changed my life. I’ve talked about that with people close to me. Maybe I wasn’t aware of it when I won, but it has changed my life. The magnitude of going out in public isn’t the same now. Many things I used to do, I obviously can’t anymore. But it’s for a good reason, it’s because of the recognition I’ve had and that’s been so important for me and my family. It was an unforgettable moment.
What do you think about Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent comments on the Ballon d’Or, questioning your win and saying Vinicius deserved the award?
Well, it’s a surprise, honestly, because he knows better than anyone how this award works and, above all, how the winner is chosen. This year, the journalists who voted decided I should win it. These same journalists probably voted for him to win it at some point, and I imagine he agreed with them then.
Does the positive of the Ballon d’Or outweigh the negative of the ACL injury?
My philosophy in life is that you have to take things as they come. You shouldn’t feel too sorry for yourself when things don’t go your way or go crazy when you win a Ballon d’Or. God has given me what He has given me, and I’m super grateful. I have to deal with everything, including injuries, and move forward.
How are you handling the injury?
Psychologically, much better than I expected. It’s what I imagined in terms of pain. The first month is very tough, but mentally it’s been better than I thought. I mean the yearning to play again, those kinds of things. I’m doing quite well. I think my body has also benefited from the break. Not because of the injury, but in other ways. I’m trying to enjoy other things we don’t normally have in our lives.
What’s your daily routine like?
Full throttle, full throttle. I mean, I’m doing three or four times as much as I would do on a normal day. Three hours in the morning and then I get treatment at home in the afternoon. We alternate: rehab, physio… but, non-stop.
Dr. Leyes, who operated on you, said the longer you have a break, the better.
Yes, he says that (laughs). Surgeons think more about their surgery going well than about an athlete performing again. It’s more the rehab specialists who usually give you a more accurate reference.”
Do you see yourself playing again this season?
Yes, yes, yes. Plus, I know myself; I’m someone who recovers well, someone with a positive mindset. They’ve said that mental strength is crucial for recovery. I can tell you everything is going very well. Of course, I want to play again this season.
You mentioned earlier that your body needed a break, which seems obvious, but it hasn’t been great for your team, City.
No. I always say that when there are absences in certain positions, the team feels it. We’ve experienced that in previous years with De Bruyne or other players who have been out for a long time. It’s a period in which the team needs to stick together. I know we’re having a tough time, a time that’s perhaps hard to digest and one in which we’re not finding our rhythm, but in the end, that’s part of any sport. You have to pick yourself back up. The good thing is there’s still time left in the season. That changes things a lot. Soccer changes. I don’t think this period will be very significant in the end, neither for good nor bad. You go through phases throughout the year. Seasons are longer now, and it’s important to be mature and stay calm. Obviously, you can’t relax or think it will change overnight. That doesn’t happen in soccer. It has to improve gradually. We’re in a situation, I’d say, that’s a bit critical. We need to try to win, but without panicking.
Will we see Rodrigo playing in the Nations League at the end of the season? Or with City in the Club World Cup?
Yes, I think so. I don’t want to confirm anything, but my plan is to try to come back a bit before that. That’s what’s in my mind. Those are the two big tournaments I have in mind for this year.
The national team needs Rodrigo, City needs Rodrigo… does soccer need Rodrigo?
And I need my team, my national team, and soccer! The desire to return is mutual. During my Ballon d’Or tribute at the Etihad, and on the days I’ve been there supporting my teammates from the stands, I was dying to be back with them. I miss them. I needed to come home.
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