“Yes, I think we are close to it (the players going on strike). It is easy to understand. Generally if you ask any player he will say the same. It's not just Rodri's or anyone else's opinion. I think this is the general opinion of the players and if it remains so then it will be a moment when we will have no other option. Let's see. I don't know what's going to happen but it's something that worries us because we are the ones who suffer,” Rodri said in his pre-match press conference.

Manchester City begin their 2024/25 UCL campaign with a clash in the 2023 UCL Final against rivals Inter Milan. With four additional teams in the UCL, teams will have to play two additional games in the league stage and then additional knockout games depending on the team's final position in the table.

Rodri, who returned as a substitute against Brentford on Saturday, has been rested by Manchester City at the start of the new season. After being named Player of the Tournament for his exploits at the 2024 European Championships, the team deemed him to need an extra month of rest to return to full fitness.

“It was great for my legs and for me. I had a month off, and maybe a little extra leave for my recovery. Generally speaking, it was about two months. It was great for me to pause and prepare myself. This helps me a lot to stop. I don't watch much football. Of course, when [City] started pre-season I watched them but I tried to disconnect from them as much as possible. Mental health was important in that sense – freeing your mind and moving forward,'' he said.