How A "SKINNY" Reject Became The Best Midfielder In The WORLD!

Midfielders aren't often the superstars of the sport, let alone the defensive ones. However, for Man City's 16, this doesn't apply; bagging the winner to complete a historic Continental Treble and a litany of Man of the Match awards has put Rodri on top of the mountain, named by Guardiola, his most important player...but things weren't always this easy for the 27 year old.
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:10 - Rayo Majadahonda & Atletico
1:54 - Villarreal & University
3:09 - Atletico (Part 2)
4:53 - First Season in Manchester
6:35 - Adjusting to the Premier & Becoming The Best
8:23 - 22/23
10:04 - European Strides and "THAT Goal"
11:32 - The Nations' League
11:57 - As Things Stand
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Music used (in order):
1. Prelude No. 20 by Chris Zabriskie chriszabriskie.com
- Creative Commons - Attribution 4.0 International - CC BY 4.0
- Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/prelude-no-20
- Music promoted by Audio Library
• Prelude No. 20 - Chris Zabriskie • Prelude No. 20 - Chris...
2. Music: 'Dramatic Epic' by SergePavkinMusic
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#rodrigo #football #manchestercity #championsleague #spain

[@halaaep]

I love retro routes channel they have so good quality plz pin 📍

[@Rxynz07]

Cap

[@sethgyan]

no cap@@Rxynz07

[@ragunanthan787]

City fans who watch all City matches know why Rodri is the best player in the world right now. Amount of control he offers is nuts. Paired with John Stones is icing on the cake.

[@coreywilliams6678]

I have been screaming for it all season while stones was out. I think Rodri purposely got that red card so he doesn’t have to play as much matches this season 😂

[@coreywilliams6678]

I don’t think I have seen anyone in the modern game as composed with the ball at his feet and his positioning without it is insane

[@ronak212]

Rodri is so massively underrated I tell you is absolutely amazing a Manchester city ride on his shoulders and he carries the team every damn time.

[@Qlicky]

How can a player that is widely regarded as the best DM in the world be underrated?

[@egoi6421]

He is overrated in my opinion. He and Diaz is slowing down Citys attack. Just observe for yourself. They need to pass the ball faster to KDB, Stones, wingers or Haaland. They are not very effective.

[@thembekileblessmore]

Without Rodri we lose games, he always shows up when we need him the most....wym?@@egoi6421

[@benjammin9471]

​@@Qlicky basically people like to call players underrated so they can feel like they are special for recognising their talent when nobody else did

[@papadoc331]

Everyone says the numbet 1 cdm. How is he underrated

[@barryh.4220]

Superb player, who has everything in his armoury, and is one of Citys best ever signings.

[@joachimbanlaoi3399]

If rodri keeps up his form till he retires 😮‍💨 might be my favorite player of all time by the end of his career

[@myuserisrandom7913]

Very unlikely, MOST players retire because they cannot maintain that level into their 30s.

[@Jout8-re1ij]

@@myuserisrandom7913 He should not retire that early tho. His born in 1996 and Messi and Ronaldo havent retired even yet. He should play atleast to 2030 World Cup, because Spain hosts that World Cup and he will be 33 year old by that time. He will have next to him 27 year old Pedri and 25 Gavi as mid-fielder, while 22 year old Yamal is winger, 30 Ferran Torres as striker and 27 year old Fati as the other winger or 27 year old Nico Williams as the other winger. Then they will have 26 year old Balde as right-back and 27 year old Pino as central-back. Just look at this team with so many football players in their prime. Dont they have chance to win the whole World Cup in World Cup they host themselves, so thats why I dont think Rodri should retire at all by now, because central defensive mid-fielders can last all the way to 35 with the experience they got. Just look at Busquest for example.

[@myuserisrandom7913]

@@Jout8-re1ij Injuries, also he said "keep up his form" he won't do that till 35 lol still be decent into his mid 30s but he'll start dropping off at 32 like everyone.

[@Jout8-re1ij]

⁠@@myuserisrandom7913 Dont football players start dropping off at 35, not 32. Lewnadowski hasent started dropping off yet. Look at Modric still playing for Real Madrid at 38 years old. What injuries he has, when there is no reason for as good defensive mid-fielder as him to retire only at 27 years old. If he keeps up his form. He will help Spain a lot in them trying to win the World Cup with their excelent team with players, like Pedri, Gavi and Yamal being there with him.

[@myuserisrandom7913]

@@Jout8-re1ij Ain't no way you just said "Lewandowski hasn't started dropping off yet" also I meant injuries can play a huge part in when a player retires not that he has had an serious injuries yet. Different players start dropping off at different ages ma boy, Modric can play at an elite level because his playstyle doesn't rely on the the things that naturally start to decline first, look at Mane for example he hit 30 and his pace started dropping off a lot, Mane relied on his pace as part of his playstyle.

[@Kingslayer1572]

Great video. Rodri might easily retire as the greatest CDM of all time. Spain has blessed us with the best midfielders the game has ever seen

[@MukeFunky]

lot of competiton, if he keeps it up maybe top 3

[@swefot17]

@@MukeFunkydefo

[@Seem612]

Hell no. He will never sniff that unless he win 4 ucl and 1 wc and a euros 😂

[@LitoLochoss]

​@@Seem612trophies dont make you a better player

[@Touchmygrass]

​@@Seem612who do u think the top 4 dms are?

[@BR-tf7jd]

As a City fan it has been both an honour and a pleasure to watch Rodri develop into the amazing player he is today.

[@FauzBussid4856]

Got me emotional, nice masterpiece 😢 MAESTRO RODRI

[@abdulkhamidabdumannonov1644]

same here

[@Gianni225]

Spain has really produced some amazing midfielders 🇪🇸

[@johnwick7583]

when you realize the best midfielder was Zidane though

[@victorcd8164]

@@johnwick7583shut ur mouth

[@samirmandal5166]

Horrible Performance from Rodri Diaz and other Spanish Footballers in World Cup at Qatar and Euro Cup 2020. Better Luck Next Life 😅😢😂😂

[@Jout8-re1ij]

@@johnwick7583 Yes everybody already knows that, but he just said Spain pulls up consistently world class mid-fielders, like they had before with Xavi and Iniesta.

[@Jout8-re1ij]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@samirmandal5166 Spain didnt have back then that good of team. Still reached round of 16 tho, so it is not as horrible preformance as Germany, that could not get out of their group even. Wait, unitil you see Spain win the 2030 World Cup with players like Rodri, Pedri, Gavi and Yamal playing there in their prime. No need to cry about it then, when it happens, when better luck next life for you trying to make it as football player, when sadly you were never good enough to make it as football player.😂

[@duyhoanganh4252]

He's so f*cking underrated in terms of individual award. As a Messi fan myself I'm so pissed off he didn't get the recognition at Balondor 2023 and the Best 2023, stay behind Mbappe is an insult to him with what he has done last year/ season. I mean, what else he had to do? He played at DM but contributed many important G&A, win the treble, UCL player of the season, Won the Nation League and MVP of the tournament. That the highest of individual performance i think a Defensive Midfielder can get, so i really hope he'll win some award this season..

[@princegirish1991]

Exactly he definitely deserved #2 in the ballon d'or after messi

[@coreywilliams6678]

It’s a fan favorite award. Can’t pay too much mind into that because wcup was finish 2022 and Messi won 2022 so to give him 2023 is just insane and you have to remember journalists coaches and international teams captains are voting for him with the wcup in mind not his individual season

[@princegirish1991]

@@coreywilliams6678 it was an exception bcz world cup happened in December for the first time, it should have happened in 2023 what's Messi's fault in it And they said the world cup will be considered in the ballon d'or as criteria

[@coreywilliams6678]

@@princegirish1991 The world cup was suppose to be summer 2022. It was kept in winter because it is too hot during the summer. Get your facts right 2nd I never said anything about Messi! I said international captains, journalists and coaches voted with the wcup in mind

[@duyhoanganh4252]

@@princegirish1991 Yes, because he's not investing in media so he's low-key not a big contender for this award. Mbappe has a big support from the media and that's why he's ahead of Rodri in this contest.

[@MCFCTheMadHatter]

Thankfully, Rodri is finally starting to receive the overdue flowers he so rightfully deserves. He is, unequivocally, our most important player!💙💙

[@novas702]

I wont say this guy get robbed something but I really would like him to win the Ballon'dor for the 1st time, quite long since a defensive player last win it

[@AMA-wm7wy]

Absolute BALLLLLLEEEERRRRRR🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶

[@beardedalade]

Spain is like a midfielders producing conveyor belt

[@samirmandal5166]

That's Why They lost to low placed Morocco in the World Cup and could not reach final of Euro 2020. Better Luck Next Life 😢😢😢😢

[@andrewmuimi3092]

Rodri is one of man city players who can give a shot outside the box. What a great footballer 💙

[@Cityzensss]

already my favourite player rn...how many times this guy has saved city is mad!

[@__j_o_s__]

Spain AKA Midfield Factory

[@RosemarieGentles]

Wow!!! What a story, I thoroughly enjoyed it, RODRI!!! Such a talented player a gift to Man City, playing in the right club at the right times, I truly appreciate and admire his humility and uniqueness. Thanks Rodri, God bless you, prosper and be in good health, back to back treble it this season…. History will be made ❤🙏🏽🇯🇲🏆🏆🏆

[@shango7942]

RODRI IS THE GAMES BEST PLAYER. I don't care, he's the best player in the world right now. If I'm building a team, he's the first player I would sign and build around him.

[@adjamaica]

Rodri was robbed of a BallonDor!!

[@swefot17]

Haaland was, but Rodri should’ve gotten 3rd/4th

[@marinablancofernandez9584]

​@@swefot17 it has been proven that without rodri city wouldnt be as deadly as there are

[@ichigoat10]

Facts I my opinion he was better than haaland last season

[@swefot17]

@@marinablancofernandez9584 true, but Haaland did score 52.

[@swefot17]

I mean, Rodri is the best player rn imo but Haaland would’ve won it if Messi didn’t steal it

[@bkarnhem874]

He was the most crucial player for Man City's succes last year and he even scored in the most important moments. Even though he might not care about winning a ballon d'or, he was definitely a candidate

[@ryanthomas8185]

Love the channel. Just watching Arsenal-Porto and they mentioned Niklas Bendtner. Reckon there's a good video to be made there. Thanks for the content!!

[@cymruisrael]

Excellent video, but one correction. City's first European trophy was the Cup Winners Cup in 1970.

[@masemimchen8184]

Your defence is terrified Rodri's on fire

[@x-ty7nf]

Rodri deserves Ballon D'or unfortunately he's not a striker or someone with a massive PR

[@user-fe1pt4qf2h]

I loved it 🙌🏾😊🔥🔥🔥 great story telling

[@Blue-moon12]

Brilliant video. Well put together, perfect narration. CTID

[@theretroroute]

Thanks for watching

[@tomodul2619]

I love how Rodri celebrates his goals. He shows passion and lots of work he puts in

[@soulfitlitinft]

I admire the way you've placed your words , wowwowow

[@T33K4Y]

brilliant video!

[@bluemoon7378]

nothing but smiles as a man city fan. went right under the radar ah ahahah

[@BennyJlakid]

Rodri is the perfect midfielder. His biggest attribute is his balance. He never loses the ball

[@kankananath9639]

Glad to see someone covering his entire journey of becoming ' Rodri, the best cdm in the world' 💙💙

[@hendromanurung9727]

He is truly the best DM ever, a complete player..

[@andressalazar8259]

Love that you mentioned Vieira, Imo he was the first “new” #5 with his defense and also playmaking the team from his recoveries. So underrated

[@ayush9534]

Ngl, it's not even recency bias There is no more complete CDB ever in football U can argue busquets is better in ball holding U can argue makele was better defensive But the overall package rodri gives is impossible to give Talk about ball holding, making crucial tackles, pace, work ethic, literally impossible to take ball from him, hardly misplaces any pass, the consistency, chance creation And then u goals 😂 I mean not normal goals trophies winning goals clutch goal. He can literally carry his team on back in moments, undefeated for over 1 years it's not a joke. If u don't know he is rated over 8 this season which is nearly impossible for role which don't involve goal assist shows he is not just best CDM in world, he is the also most consistent player.

[@fragtige4143]

It’s hard to argue with. Busquets is at the very top but Rodri might be the most clutch defensive midfielder in history. Not to mention his calmness on and off the ball. I think he is tied with Busquets but only because Busquets played along the likes of Cr7, Benzema, Bale, Falcao, ozil, etc.

[@blank1933]

@@fragtige4143 respectfully just look at their ability. Rodri so much better

[@ayush9534]

@@fragtige4143 he played alongside those players Thrice in a year that's 6% of his season 🙄 use your brain But rodri has to face Liverpool arsenal Newcastle United spurs chelsea every week.

[@fnkxhamza]

Amazing vid, one minor detail is that it was city's 2nd European trophy, first european trophy was cup winners cup in 1969/70 season

[@flashborne_omega259]

love this work

[@afro8200]

This guy is just such an amazing player 🔥❤️

[@yxles1773]

Underatted

[@joanselaseworwornyo7709]

This is a great video. We want more😊❤

[@theretroroute]

More to come!

[@dha9jay]

Lots of respect for him. Very hard working player. Modern day great.

[@tee4515]

Rodri is an amazing midfielder! 👏

[@shreyam1008]

If we had best player award based not only on goals/popularity but the actual overall impact in the game, he takes the award easy

[@lwandomadikizela2213]

Rodri did struggle in his first season at Manchester City but once he got used to Pep's demand he became a vital cog to the City machine, scoring vital goals like beating Villa to retain their Premier League title and winning the elusive Champions League title last season. I still believed had Guardiola started the match against Chelsea in the Champions League final in 2011, City would have two Champions League titles by now.

[@Kaisar9000]

Well you wrong, Chelsea on that final is on form they will beat City even with Rodri played on starting lineup

[@virtuallimit3619]

​@@Kaisar9000Good joke

[@iJohnson-ny4yr]

​@@Kaisar9000joker

[@ro77828]

city played against chelsea with rodri previous matches at that time. "if pep played rodri" stfu

[@ro77828]

@@virtuallimit3619 they beat city with rodri before...

[@soumavadas1400]

JUST PURELY BEAUTIFUL DOCUMENTARY. DOING JUSTICE TO ALL THE ACCOLADES HE HAS ACHEIVED

[@zmtqzfbovsbh3208]

It would be fair to say that rodri is indeed city's backbone 💪💪💪

[@Section20Ul]

We call him Godri. Best CDM in world football right now.

[@Ye3TuS_Gaming]

Yes

[@LiveinReykjavik]

So "retro". Miss the old days of this once-great channel.

[@funkymcnugget]

I dont watch a lot of football anymore, but it feels like busquets and kroos had a Child together that seems out of this world.

[@mondlimkhanyiswa1206]

I knew he was good, but after this vid, I can surely cement he is one of the best there is right now 🙌

[@grandpasbag]

Rodri is an elite CD 🩵🩵

[@TheTiph0n]

Awesome story telling

[@user-dj8bm7ys3e]

Watching this video almost made me cry 😢 as this guy been consistent for years snd finally achieved The UCL

[@KahiyemoulidHassan]

Great video

[@Willy-ey3xs]

Great video.

[@rayvinloony2322]

Class 👏⚽️👑

[@bukenyaibrahim5541]

Seeing old clips of him just shows how so technically good and beyond he is among even top class players as a CDM bousquets he is the only one chatting to him

[@koplakisasi4132]

One word for him: Flawless

[@AGE_97]

Thats our boy. Hope he knows how much hes valued.

[@thebelx89]

If we had him when we played Real Madrid, we would have another UCL. Fernandinho will always be Loved but putting him against Vinicius was the reason we lost

[@intannovitasari9725]

Cara dia membawaa bola ,, mempertahankan bola ,, mengambil bola dr lawan Umpan² panjang n pendek nya Sangat berbeda dr pemain lain Rodri ,, dia Istimewa 👏🔥💙

[@rahulregarrahulregar9430]

One of my favorite player in present time ❤️

[@user-em5yi5zi6j]

He's the reason for, not to judge a person by just their current situation

[@theconfusedguy7859]

Rodri Rodri Rodri what a player !!!!

[@jawanglowang3946]

Woo Rodri my god..

[@chadbrick67]

Absolute monster

[@MrVvulf]

Rodri is the Tim Duncan of soccer. The quiet big man who acts as the bedrock of a dynasty. That's how I'd explain him to an American friend who was mostly an NBA fan, but interested in learning more about football.

[@SaidouJarju-hu9el]

Rodri is amazing midfield player the world keep pushing one day you will the ballon Dor🎉

[@blackout995]

Not even the best midfielder on his own team... but I am always supportive of the generational CDMs. Heart of City's team.

[@Jamaican_Foden]

A re u a fool ? He is the best on the team fool

[@CarlosRojas-hr6ms]

He said not the best on his own team which is 100% correct. KDB is mikes clear

[@Kamva-nm8bt]

@@CarlosRojas-hr6msKDB I would say is a final third player he is the guy u want to make the killer pass he has that but Rodri and Bernardo are more of the dictators and controllers in the team I say that cause KDB loses the ball just as much or slightly less than Bruno in my opinion Bernardo and Rodri are better midfielders than KDB

[@Jamaican_Foden]

@@CarlosRojas-hr6ms if he was we would have won every game without Rodri that kdb played that is facts where is your facts we all know kdb is the best bc of what he has done and what he is still doing but everyone can see Rodri is a more complete central midfielder u need to watch more football if u don’t see my point Rodri benched ucl final we lost with a pass right down the middle Rodri starts the ucl he scores the winner ✌🏾

[@ruchirmundhra6716]

@@CarlosRojas-hr6ms different roles

[@KidneyJones]

What a video👏👏

[@MickDekker99]

Best player in football now

[@RuudHooletsNest]

Goodness sakes😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@roughysk9851]

​@@RuudHooletsNestso tell me who?

[@LitoLochoss]

He aint sorry im.city fan but i dont belive a cdm can be the best player in the world

[@samkkx]

​@LitoLochoss why not?

[@silverflames5860]

​@LitoLochoss that's how we know you have 0 ball knowledge.

[@davidyoull8432]

Hi can u pls do a video about pochettino's spurs, and their miracle run in the 18/19 UCL pls

[@amaanhaiderr]

Rodri deserves a Ballon dor. My fav player, Freaking legend.

[@gentleken7864]

What is it? 1% of or less make it as a professional footballer. It's a really cut throat industry and Rodri didn't make the cut. There's going to be thousands of similar players cut who are never heard of again.

[@gauravggwp]

10:40 Goosebumps

[@HT3897]

Best CDM in the world since 2023 january and didnt make the team of the year 2023, so underrated, imagine a player like Busquets but more stronger and faster this is rodri.

[@amanchandra878]

62 game unbeaten my man Rodri is a beast

[@mdhowlader2295]

Make it 65

[@amanchandra878]

@@mdhowlader2295 give him the ballandor already

[@baiduryadebnath5713]

If Rodri continues this form for ten more years he will surely be at the same level of busquets

[@johnhonai4601]

Already overtook Busquets. Watch Rodri play

[@baiduryadebnath5713]

@@johnhonai4601 did you watch busquets play?

[@robertlangdon494]

Nobody replaces busquets

[@liibanboojo1673]

​@@johnhonai4601he doesn't even have 10% of busquets and you are saying he overtook

[@IanMotivatedTooMuch]

Rodri wins games, scores worldies as well. Can't remember Busquets doing that...​@@liibanboojo1673

[@handledbymeee]

He was trained by one of the best defensive managers Diego Simeonie

[@cr-tm3xq]

What a video😮

[@miguelporras8366]

Rodri is a very complete midfielder. He is better marker than Busquets. And he has all the chops to defuse opponent's pressure. And also great when he acts as box to box

[@reubenpaul4034]

Man city cannot play ball without Rodri but can play without anybody and still win. This is the guy behind kelvin debruyne seccess believe me or not.

[@PrakosoKoko]

I think Rodrigo playing like guti Hernandez ❤

[@stewzs9269]

hope he stays with us forever

[@ODAIR_SCTY_OFC]

Rodri is sick on the pitch

[@brotherlouie123]

one of the best seasons of any player ever...

[@Martin-ow4py]

Paul dickovs goal is the most important goal in city's history rodri is class more fantastic recruitment from a top class club

[@selamtefera2230]

Nice intro

[@tluangtearenthlei]

I have been saying that he's the key midfielder and the best DM while the world were d***k riding Kante, now,I knew that I was right,congrats Rodri

[@amiirhassan9815]

Godri for a reason incredible footballer respect

[@HistoryBasis]

Can someone please explain to me why Rodri wasnt in the Podium of Uefa player of the year, Ballon dor and fifa the best?? He should have at least got 3rd! Him and Haaland are both deserving winners of 2023 Ballon dor for me!

[@johnhonai4601]

Haaland? Not anytime soon. In matches he don't score his performance is massively disappointing. He does not involve in open play like Aguero does or have close control. First touch is bad as well. His strength is physicality.

[@TP-pq9xx]

​@@johnhonai4601 Haaland massively affects every game whether he scores or not. Aguero never provided that same level of threat in behind, never commanded as much attention as Haaland does which opens up the pitch for everyone. Plus Haaland has already matched Aguero's career best assist total, in his first season at City. Haaland is already a better passer than Aguero was and he's only 23.

[@Marbuxold]

He should win this years ballon dor

[@dukelanga3930]

Rodri is an amazing talent! Def the best CDM in the world 🤌🏾🔥

[@JonathanM04]

This is what I been thinking all season, Rodri is the best footballer in the world right now. He is so consistent and can do so much good on a football pitch. But because he doesn’t score the goals every game and get all the highlight he will never truly get the recognition as the best footballer in the world. It’s sad but it’s the reality.

[@gorgeusid]

One of the best player in his position alongside kimmich and calhanoglu right now

[@dc6502]

He's clear of both of them tbh.

[@orbitxp5365]

rodri will be the best cdm ever known if he keeps this shape for 5/7 more years

[@justwatchinglah1815]

Great combination with Kevin De Bruyne

[@dr.football4662]

The perfect mid. Playmaking to defending. Can someone tell me if he is similar to Yaya Toure?

[@johannesgrobler853]

He is way above the greatest cdm's like Bosques,Makalele,Vierra and Fernandinho...phenomenal player