MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Rodri of Manchester City is challenged by Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and FC Internazionale Milano at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2024 in Manchester, England.

€130m Manchester City player admits he really enjoys watching Barcelona play

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

FC Barcelona have enthralled fans with their impressive football so far this season. Setting aside their rare off-night defeat to Real Sociedad over the weekend, the Catalan club under Hansi Flick has played some of the best football in Europe and has scored the most goals of any club.

So far, under the German coach, Barcelona have only lost three games—two in the league and one in the Champions League. This has included memorable results against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, which are signs that Flick’s team is on the right track.

It seems that it’s not just the fans who have been enticed by Barcelona’s play. Manchester City superstar Rodri, recently awarded the Ballon d’Or, has admitted that he loves watching the Catalan club play.

As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, here is what the €130m-rated defensive midfielder had to say about Flick’s team:

“I really enjoy watching Barcelona play; they have a coach and a team that keeps improving. [ They do so ] with many players from the Spanish national team.”

The Spanish midfield star, currently recovering from an ACL injury, also offered high praise for Lamine Yamal, revealing how he and Álvaro Morata tried to help the 16-year-old when he joined the national team setup. He said:

“Lamine joined the national team at 16, still a kid, so Álvaro Morata and I took him under our wing a bit to help him stay focused and use his talent for what matters, not for distractions. He is on the right track and progressing well.”

Finally, Rodri mentioned that he has a great relationship with Barcelona idol Sergio Busquets, whose position he has taken over in the national team. He continued:

“[ He is my ] idol and role model, with whom I have a perfect relationship.”

Rodri is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. He is the perfect player for the style of football Barcelona play but unfortunately, the Catalan club did not sign him back when he was in La Liga, due to the presence of Sergio Busquets.

Regardless, the club has Marc Casado and Marc Bernal breaking through – two players who look set to dominate the pivot position for the foreseeable future. It feels good to see Rodri have such words of praise for us and let’s wait and see how it plays out.

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