Rodri, the talented midfielder for Manchester City, has announced that he will be seeking a well-deserved rest during the season run-in as the club continues their pursuit of a second successive Treble. The 27-year-old recently played his 41st game of the campaign in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg draw against Real Madrid. With eight games across three competitions scheduled for April, Rodri understands the importance of taking some time off.
“I do need a rest,” Rodri stated. “Let’s see how we speak, how we live the situation. Sometimes it is what it is. I need to adjust. It [rest] is something we are planning, yes.” The demanding schedule of matches has taken its toll on the Spanish international, and he recognizes the need to prioritize his physical and mental well-being.
The recent thrilling 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu marked 429 days and 66 games since Rodri last lost a game while playing for City in any competition. His consistent performance and dedication to the team have been remarkable. Throughout this season, Rodri has accumulated a total of 3,497 minutes on the pitch, making him the 23rd most active player among Europe’s top leagues in England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France. Only three players have made more starts than Rodri, and interestingly, two of them are goalkeepers.
However, Rodri has faced some setbacks this season due to four domestic game suspensions, resulting in City losing all four matches. These absences have highlighted his importance to the team and his influence on City’s success.
Looking ahead, Pep Guardiola’s side faces Luton in the Premier League on Saturday before the crucial return leg against Real Madrid on April 17th. The team also has an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and Premier League fixtures against Brighton and Nottingham Forest before the month comes to a close. The congested fixture list has been a topic of discussion among football professionals, with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag recently expressing concerns about players being overloaded and struggling to perform consistently.
Ten Hag stated, “You see the levels dropping with them [Manchester City] again, it was a different team to when we faced them. The levels with teams will drop at any moment if we keep going in this process by overloading the international program.” The issue of fixture congestion has caught the attention of global players’ union Fifpro, which believes that football needs to take more significant measures to protect players from dangerous levels of fatigue.
In the midst of these concerns, Fifa has announced its plans to expand the Club World Cup competition, while Uefa is increasing the size of Europe’s Champions League starting from next season. These changes have raised questions about whether player welfare is being prioritized amidst the pursuit of commercial gains.
As Rodri seeks a well-deserved rest, his decision highlights the importance of balancing the demands of a busy schedule with the need for player recovery and well-being. It serves as a reminder that even the most talented athletes require rest and recuperation to perform at their best consistently. With the support of his team and coaching staff, Rodri aims to recharge and return to the pitch ready to contribute to Manchester City’s pursuit of glory in all competitions.