Champions League final is an exam Manchester City 'have to pass', says Rodri
The 26-year-old Spanish midfielder and his team-mates can achieve sporting immortality against Inter in Istanbul, where City can be crowned European champions for the first time and match arch-rivals Manchester United's 1998-99 still treble.
Rodri joined City in 2019 from Atletico Madrid and has won three top-flight titles since then, but feels he's never been in as good a place as he is right now.
"I feel in the best moment - physically, mentally, the way I understand the game," Rodri told reporters after they beat United 2-1 in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
"I have tried to grow and learn. This is my fourth year, and there have been lots of lessons. I feel more mature. But you have to win. It's not only about playing well, it is about being part of a winning team."
Rodri said that City have "tried to learn a lot from the past" after coming closer to European glory in the past seasons.
They featured in the 2020/21 Champions League final, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea in Porto, but they are now the favourites to beat Inter after winning their fifth Premier League title in six seasons last month.
"Pep said you will not be 'big, big' if you don't win in Europe. It's the exam we have to pass again," Rodri added.
"It's another final and we are ready. I'm going to push the guys to be ourselves, be confident, try our best and fight for the final."