Manchester City midfielder Rodri has voiced concerns about the demanding football calendar and hinted at the possibility of player strikes in the future. The Spanish international, who scored the winning goal in last year’s Champions League final against Inter Milan, shared his thoughts ahead of City’s rematch with the Italian side.
On the issue of player workload, Rodri stated, “I don’t know the exact number of games that would be right in a season, but over 50 is too many, and 60-70 is unsustainable. It’s not just about business, but the quality of the spectacle offered.” He added, “Someone needs to look after us. We are the protagonists, we need to rest and disconnect because mental health is important.”
The midfielder went on to say, “Look at how Haaland has started after not playing in the Euros. He’s come back as a beast. I don’t know how long it can last, but sooner or later we’ll be forced to strike.”
Reflecting on his nomination for the Ballon d’Or, Rodri expressed his pride: “Being nominated for the Ballon d’Or makes me happy and proud, but it’s a consequence of the whole team’s work. Now people are starting to recognize my work. I admit it would be a dream to win. I’m a midfielder, not a striker, and usually attackers win… But the fact that I’m there with the others tells us that football can be appreciated from all points of view.”
Regarding the upcoming match against Inter Milan, Rodri said, “I’ve watched the final twice in full, and some clips millions of times. It was nice to relive those emotions, but life goes on and other challenges await us. Inter hasn’t changed much since then. We know them, they’re very strong and know exactly what to do at every moment of the game. They’re dangerous in transition, and we’ll find a wall in front of us. They have many key players like Lautaro and their midfielders.”
When asked about Inter midfielder Calhanoglu’s claim to be the world’s best regista, Rodri responded diplomatically: “I respect his opinion, I consider him an excellent player, but I’m not here to make rankings. I just want to be the best version of myself.”
