Rodri on full return in Man City defeat: ‘I’m not Messi’

Rodri has insisted that he cannot single handedly make Manchester City “win and win” after his return to the starting XI failed to inspire a turnaround in form for Pep Guardiola’s team as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Brighton on Sunday.

Rodri made his first Premier League start for the club in 11 months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last year as a late Brajan Gruda strike condemned City to a second league defeat in as many weeks.

“I’m not Messi. I’m not going to come back and make the team win and win,” Rodri said after the loss at the Amex Stadium. “This is a collective, when we won in the past, I needed all my teammates.

“For sure I have to recover and find my best level. It’s not because I’m back we’re going to win. It’s a collective sport. Hopefully after the break we can come back much better.”

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