The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner needed surgery after damaging his ACL against Arsenal in September and has been recovering in Spain ever since.
But on his return to Manchester, he has reflected on the first few weeks and how his positivity has now kicked in after the initial dismay.
“It’s different and difficult because it is my first big injury in my career,” said Rodri.
“You never expect this to happen, but it has and life happens.
“But always I have a positive mentality to go again and recover well.
“I’ve been suffering to be fair, the first month was difficult, but after that it’s time to move on and I can work easily. Everything goes better after the first two months.
“A good positive mentality to come back whenever it is and to get feedback.”
The Spain international has also revealed he has been missing his team-mates and has been catching up with them – even though he has been in regular contact from distance.
“Yes, I’ve been two months without being in Manchester because I was recovering in Madrid,” he said.
“But I was keeping in touch with the team-mates and watching all the games - suffering sometimes.
“I went to join them today as they arrived and was so pleased to be with them.
“I made kind of a speech because the Ballon d’Or was here, and I told them I was missing them a lot. Like a family you know, and I felt we are a family.”
He also says he is the worst spectator, living every minute of each game and on one occasion, almost forgetting he couldn’t celebrate the way he wanted.
“What am I like? Terrible, horrible - I suffer a lot!” he smiled.
“I don’t have control, and I don’t have control of the situation, so it makes me feel nervous.
“I remember the game with Wolves, and I was like ‘oh my god’ and we scored in the 95th minute - I almost started running with an injured knee!
“ I’m not a good spectator of my team.”
