“I was so scared!” – Every word from Rodri after “horror tackle” during Manchester City against Fluminense

Manchester City defensive midfielder Rodri has opened up on his “horror tackle” injury scare during the 4-0 FIFA Club World Cup final win over Fluminense on Friday.

The Spain international was forced off the pitch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with 15 minutes of regulation time remaining, following a challenge from Alexsander of the Brazilian club colliding into the ankle of Rodri with his studs showing.

Rodri’s right knee appeared to jar in the playing surface, sending the Manchester City midfield mainstay to the floor screaming in agony, with club medical staff rushed onto the pitch to attend to last season’s UEFA Champions League winner.

Despite attempting to continue for the remainder of the contest, the decision was ultimately made to withdraw him from the match, leaving many onlookers seriously concerned over the player’s longer-term availability in Manchester City’s upcoming matches.

Much to the relief of all those concerned with Manchester City, it appears as though the problem sustained is far from being as serious as some feared, with the player himself clarifying the situation with the media after the match.

“No,” Rodri responded when asked whether he could now be ruled out for a while following the challenge and subsequent knock picked up against Fluminense during the FIFA Club World Cup final.

He continued, “I was very lucky today, to be honest. I think it was one of the worst tackles they did in my career. I was so scared because I felt my knee, but fortunately it was nothing. And I said to the player, ‘You cannot do this kind of actions’.

“But today I won more than a trophy; I go home safe. But to be honest, I was very close to crying because I felt very, very worried about what happened. But, it’s nothing.”

When questioned further on whether he will be fit for Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League game against Everton on December 27, the Spain international reaffirmed, “Yeah, yeah. I have pain, because it was very dramatic the way it goes but it’s nothing, no effect.”

Manchester City’s victory in Jeddah this week meant it was five trophies claimed by Pep Guardiola’s side in 2023, following on from success in the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Super Cup.