As USMNT boss, Pochettino opens doors for Latino players, fans

This is American Soccer

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

The best players, coaches & teams of the 21st century - ranked

The 25 best USMNT players of the 21st century - ranked

Neymar told he’s ‘same level as Messi’ but ‘ruined career’

Caffeine-free: No Triple Espresso for USWNT in Euro friendlies

Colombia vs Ecuador: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

'Embarrassing' - Fans cringe as Rooney to star in doc

Ronaldo wants to make Guardiola the Selecao's new boss

Mexico vs Honduras: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Neymar's future decided? Al-Hilal star buys €50m penthouse

Pulisic, Pepi provide punch, Weah wows as USMNT rout Jamaica

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Rodri starred in CWC campaign</li><li>Won MOTM in UCL final last season</li><li>Joins Messi and Bale on exclusive list</li></ul>

As good as Lionel Messi! Rodri joins Inter Miami star and ex-Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale in exclusive club after starring role in Man City’s Club World Cup triumph

Premier League

Manchester City

Tottenham

Rodri was in the starting XI as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-city-player-ratings-vs-fluminense/bltd73aa8b0a90f6597" target="_blank">City beat the Brazilian side in the final in Saudi Arabia</a>. Despite limping off with an injury after 74 minutes, Rodri joined in the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/watch-man-city-club-world-cup-champions-2023-fluminense/blt974ccfec0d2bae51" target="_blank">celebrations as Pep Guardiola's team enjoyed their title as world champions</a> for the first time in their history.

WHAT HAPPENED?

While Rodri did not have a particularly strong performance in the final, he was a crucial figure in their journey to become world champions. He was crowned man of the match in the Champions League final win against Inter that secured their qualification into the Club World Cup. Indeed, he is just one of three players to go on to win the best player in the FIFA tournament after being named the best player in the European final. Only Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale have managed it before him, says Squawka.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Only three players have been named Man of the Match in the UEFA Champions League final and won the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball in the same year: ◎ Lionel Messi (2011) ◎ Gareth Bale (2018) ◉ Rodri (2023) Reminder: Rodri was also named 2022/23 UCL Player of the Season. 🫡 <a href="https://t.co/0l8lW0LjRV">pic.twitter.com/0l8lW0LjRV</a>— Squawka (@Squawka) <a href="https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1738298446086283563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Spain international has been a pivotal figure for City this season, having scored four times and chipped in with as many assists in 22 appearances in all competitions. The defensive midfielder admitted he was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/rodri-admits-very-bad-feeling-man-city-dressing-room-poor-premier-league-run-rallying-cry-club-world-cup-final/bltdfd909fd6689bdc0" target="_blank">concerned ahead of the game after City's run of bad results</a> that he says "left a very bad feeling in the changing room for us, so I think it was good for us to stop a little bit and then come here to the [Club] World Cup."

DID YOU KNOW?

Rodri will be hoping that his injury is not too severe as City prepare for their return to the Premier League, with a game against Everton on December 27 before they finish off the year with a meeting with bottom team Sheffield United on December 30.

WHAT NEXT FOR CITY?

As good as Lionel Messi! Rodri joins Inter Miami star and ex-Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale in exclusive club after starring role in Man City’s Club World Cup triumph | Goal.com US

Manchester City midfielder Rodri joined an exclusive club when his side thrashed Fluminense 4-0 to win the Club World Cup final on Friday.