Rodrigo scored a crucial late equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday, earning a point for City after former blue Raheem Sterling had put the visitors in front at the break.
Guardiola is a huge fan of the Spanish star and insists it would have been harder to win the trophies we have done without the side’s lynchpin.
“He’s an unbelievable player. He’s the best midfield player in the current world by far,” said the boss.
“It’s because he’s able to do everything. So the tempo he has, especially his character when the situation is going wrong, he steps forward to arrive to the box, go backwards, the ability to play short and long. He’s always ready.
“What a signing. Manchester City signed a player that is difficult to understand what we have done in recent years without him. It would’ve been difficult.”
While Rodrigo scored against Chelsea, he’s more renowned as a warrior in the centre of the park who dominates the middle ground and stops the opposition from hitting top form.
Guardiola is more than aware, perhaps because he played that role himself, that the holding midfielder doesn’t get the star billing like a striker banging in the goals on a regular basis.
The manager has no issues with that because he understands what Rodrigo offers to the team.
“He is [appreciated]. I would say the holding midfielder doesn’t get appreciated like the strikers, the No.10s, that is good.
“So when a holding midfielder has a lot of appreciation, it’s not good. Holding midfielder has to play for the team...for him and for the team. They make the team play.
“This is the role of the holding midfielder. All the highlights have to be for the guys up front who score goals and make assists and so on.
“But Rodri always has the ability in the important moments to score goals.”
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That anchor position, at the base of midfield, is one that Rodrigo has excelled in for some years now.
This season has also seen Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva occupy deeper roles in the centre of the park too, often alongside Rodrigo.
Guardiola doesn’t see versatile Kevin De Bruyne playing there in blue, though, despite his fantastic football brain because he wants him to cause damage for opponents higher up the pitch.
“No. He has to be in the final third,” said the manager when asked if he can see KDB playing further back.
“He has not to defend deeper. I want Kevin in the final third. It’s his talent. It’s his talent. His huge talent is there.
“When you attack the final third, he can move a little with freedom, right or left, to make his incredible talent.
“When you drop, sometimes in the moment you have to defend. The role from Rodri, Gundo last season or Bernardo this season or Kova this season, he has not.”
