Rodri’s ruthless competitive streak revealed in profile of Manchester City star

Marti Perarnau, the football journalist and author known for his work on professional football, Barcelona and Pep Guardiola, has described Rodri as a fiercely competitive and unusually private player whose long adaptation to Manchester City helped shape him into one of the game’s decisive midfielders.

Speaking on the programme La Graderia del Balco on SER Catalunya, Perarnau discussed Rodri’s development from both sporting and personal perspectives. As reported by Cadena SER, the writer, who has close links with Manchester City, explained that the Spain international needed a lengthy period of adjustment after joining the English club.

Rodri, who arrived at Manchester City at the age of about 23, spent his first two years working to correct technical, tactical and psychological weaknesses identified by the coaching staff. That process, Perarnau said, eventually produced the influential player now recognised at the highest level.

Perarnau also recalled the uncertainty surrounding Rodri’s transfer before his move to Manchester City, when the midfielder had been expected to join Real Madrid before Barcelona emerged as his preferred option.

“When it was believed that Rodri was going to move to Real Madrid, I tried to find out whether that was true,” he said.

“I happened to ask on the day of Dani Codina’s wedding. He was a Barcelona coach who had previously been a coach at Manchester City. There were people from Barcelona, others from City, and many people connected to both clubs. That day, they told me that things, especially regarding Rodri, were not going as the press was suggesting, but in a completely different way. So while the media were interpreting one thing, Rodri’s path was actually heading in an entirely different direction.”

A demanding start in Manchester

Perarnau said Rodri’s character was central to his progress, describing him as both serious and intensely competitive.

“He is a very serious person and a fierce competitor. When he joined Manchester City, he faced enormous difficulties. He was very young, around 23, and perhaps he did not realise the scale of the expectations he would face,” he said.

“It is easy to play for Villarreal and stand out, but it is difficult to play for Manchester City, compete for the Premier League and all the domestic trophies, and train under Pep Guardiola. He suffered during his first two years and had to work extremely hard to correct the mistakes and weaknesses identified by the coaches.”

The midfielder’s personality also sets him apart from what Perarnau considers the traditional image of a modern footballer. Rodri has a degree in business administration, does not use social media and prefers to remain away from the spotlight, while also being viewed as an excellent team-mate.

“Yes. He has a degree in business administration, does not use social media, prefers to stay away from the limelight and is a great team-mate. He is completely different from the traditional footballer,” Perarnau said.

He added that Rodri rarely behaves in a way that would undermine his reputation as an elite athlete. The player looks after himself, works hard and speaks his mind, while remaining willing to listen. However, Perarnau said Rodri also has a desire to break free from restraint, visible in his celebrations and occasionally in his performances.

“When he loses control of himself a little, he can make a mistake. But they are minor mistakes. Generally, he is a very disciplined person,” he said.

From learning to leading

Perarnau believes Rodri would be capable of becoming an important voice in the Barcelona dressing room if he eventually joins the club. He said the midfielder would have a particularly strong influence on younger players because of his own experience at Manchester City.

Rodri arrived in Manchester alongside experienced figures such as Fernandinho, who was established in his position and from whom he had to learn. He also played with players including Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan in a dressing room where standards were strict and issues were discussed openly, in good times and bad.

“Rodri benefited greatly from that kind of learning and made valuable contributions. Now, if he finally joins Barcelona, he will have to play a completely opposite role to the one Fernandinho played for him: he will be the experienced player guiding the younger ones,” Perarnau said.

To illustrate Rodri’s competitive nature, Perarnau recalled a curious phone call from Manchester. He was asked who he thought would win a hypothetical 400-metre race between Rodri and Ferran Torres.

Both players had insisted they would beat the other and spent an entire afternoon arguing over the imaginary contest. Perarnau chose Rodri.

“That shows how competitive he is: he wants to win even in something as trivial as that,” he said.