Rodri was a huge driving force for the sky blues as City won the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Premier League across 2023/24 while the midfield ace emerged triumphant with Spain in Euro 2024 where he was also named Player of the Tournament.
Nominees for the world’s best player award are set to be announced on 4 September with Rodri’s sensational season for club and country leading many to tip him as a potential winner.
Guardiola would love it if his midfield powerhouse emerged victorious – becoming in the process City’s first winner of the global gong.
“We would be delighted - he deserves it,” said the manager of Rodri.
“But maybe another one deserves it too. The people will vote.
“Rodri has done not just one season, many seasons really good and the previous season was really good with the Premier League and the Euros winning with Spain.
“But there are other players who had a good season.
“I would love one [City] player to win it because for players it means a lot. I would love it.
“But I’ve said many times, just being in contention and being there means the club - individually and collectively - has done a good season.
“There are a lot of good teams with good players, hopefully it happens but it is not in my hands.”
Meanwhile, the transfer window closes tonight at 23:00 (UK) with the boss saying he’s happy with the squad he has.
Guardiola was asked before the opening game of the season at Chelsea whether the departure of Julian Alvarez and injury to Oscar Bobb might mean him dipping into the market for a forward.
He stressed his confidence with the players already at his disposal and did so again ahead of the West Ham weekend clash as he looks to spearhead another sensational season for City.
The manager did however say that the winter transfer window was available if needed to revisit options in a few months time.
“I am happy with the squad.
“We didn’t expect Julian to leave. Well not expect, he had conversations with other clubs a long time ago, with his agent, it could happen but at the end you think maybe he will stay but yeah it happened.
“Of course with many injuries it could be a problem but hopefully in two months maybe Oscar is back, Phil can play there, McAtee can play in that position, Gundogan, Bernardo can play in that position, Erling of course as a different type of player.
“Maybe it is a mistake, but I like to work with not a long, long squad. I don’t like players not playing for a long time. If you have a long squad with no injuries, ten months without playing, I don’t like it.
“I want everyone involved with a chance to play, the performance of the team is always better.
“I know the group, I know how incredibly serious and professional they are and their commitment in every single game.
“When you’re not completely sure it’s better to wait. In winter we have another chance just in case it happens.
“If I am not convinced and Txiki [Begiristain] is not convinced it’s better to take that step.”
