After Rodri was carried out with a knee injury in September, Guardiola and the City supporters experienced how crucial the Ballon d’Or winner is to the club’s success. Over the next few months, City sank like a stone towards the bottom of the table and inexplicable defeats came in a row in the Champions League. Now that it is back on the winning track, City supporters can enjoy Friday’s announcement.

Manchester City have entered the squad for the Champions League for the rest of the season. Rodri was reported out with a knee injury for the rest of the season, but now comes the bright spot.

Because in the Champions League squad is City’s midfield general.

This means that Manchester City now see the possibility of a Rodri comeback as early as this season. The Portuguese could thus be the wild card for City at the end of the season, but first the Real Madrid hurdle awaits.