Rodri names the four non-Man City players he rates most in world football, picks two from Spurs

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has named his four favourite players outside of his teammates.

The Spaniard was asked to name players who have impressed him so far this season and picked out a trio of English stars.

Rodri immediately shared his appreciation for Jude Bellingham, who has scored 17 goals since making an £88 million move to Real Madrid in the summer.

Similarly, his compatriot Harry Kane is also enjoying himself abroad, with the England skipper notching 25 times in all competitions for Bayern Munich.

Spurs have still coped well without him, however, with James Maddison and Heung Min-Son's contributions receiving recognition from Rodri.

"I think [Jude] Bellingham is doing great in Spain," Rodri said in a new interview.

[Harry] Kane has adapted very well in German football and then another one, I will say [James] Maddison or [Heung-Min] Son, they are doing very well at Tottenham."

Image: Getty

Rodri had an excellent 2023, playing a starring role as City won a historic treble.

The former Atletico Madrid man scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul and found himself in fifth place in the Ballon d'Or rankings on 57 points.

He also helped Spain win the Nations League and will be a world champion if City are victorious in the FIFA Club World Cup final.

Spanish newspaper AS named Rodri as their Player of the Year and the 27-year-old was delighted with the honour.

Image: Getty

He said: "It is an honour for me to receive this award from AS. I am very excited that people in my country remember me even though I am working abroad.

"I want to thank the newspaper and all its readers for this recognition of the beautiful year that I have had both in my club, Manchester City, and in the Spanish National Team.

"It has been a fantastic year personally and collectively.

"I hope to continue bringing joy to my club and of course also to the National Team in the exciting challenges that lie ahead of us."

Topics: Rodri, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heung Min

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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