Rodri wants to mark his new Manchester City with a step up in the dressing room, as he outlined his aims for the next five years and beyond.
The midfielder, 26, has just signed a new three-year contract extension, taking his stay at City up to 2027, and he explained how he feels completely at home at the Etihad so a new deal was never in doubt.
And with his future sorted, Rodri outlined how he must now step up and be a leader in the City squad, especially with no plans to retire and an outlook that doesn't involve moving clubs any time soon.
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“I always thought since the first day I came here that this was my home,” he told City's in-house media team.
“Of course, you need to adapt yourself to a new country and a new club but in my mind, I was also so happy being here at City. I think it is my second family and I feel that every day that I play at the Etihad. It was an easy renewal for me, [there were] no doubts about continuing my steps here at the Etihad.
“I am very proud of what I have done the last three years here and I want to change the history with this club. I think we have done amazing things in the last three years and we want more so I am very happy to continue here.”
“I am still 26, I am still a long way from retiring. I have reached a very good level and I think I have a lot I can improve on. That’s the idea. I am the kind of player who wants to always be better and better. If I can show the level I have in the last three years, I feel I can be even better.
“I am very happy with that, and I think the club think the same, which is why we have both agreed to continue here. “We are both happy. There is no better place to be."
And with his next five years, at least, tied down at City, Rodri wants to use his experience in the dressing room to continue the high standards that the team have set in the three seasons he has been at the club.
“Every year you are older and have more experience, young players are arriving,” he continued.
“I have tried to be a leader since I came. You have big names in the locker room who have to do that job, but now I feel I can do that. I put that responsibility on myself, to try and push every player to be better every day. That is the only way to succeed.
“It is not an easy task, but it is something I have to do. I feel it is my role in the team, but I still have to improve to manage these situations."
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