11 February 2024 , 07:30
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It was the “iconic” moment which changed everything for Rodri.
The goal, which, he says, defines him as a player, will also go down as his greatest achievement. Manchester City resume the defence of their European crown against FC Copenhagen this week as red-hot favourites to win the trophy again.
City midfielder Rodri recalls in such detail and with such emotion his winner in last season’s Champions League Final against Inter Milan in Istanbul. Rodri also recalls with such admiration Andres Iniesta’s winner for Spain in the 2010 World Cup Final in South Africa and his hero Zinedine Zidane’s spectacular goal for Real Madrid in Glasgow in the 2002 Champions League Final.
“Iniesta and Zizou, these kind of goals, moments, they will last for ever and I was so happy to live that,” said Rodri. “When you score these sorts of goals, they are iconic moments and I could not be more proud.
“It was the first Champions League trophy for this club, it was the first Treble – and it will stay with me for ever. I have a lot of memories about that night, that magical night. It was unbelievable.
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“Something that people don’t realise is that you play an individual game and a team game. Of course, people expected it to be a bit easier, but it was the Champions League. Inter are a big team and they had three Champions Leagues and, for me, they were the favourites. They had the experience and we didn’t.
Rodri lifts the Champions League after his iconic goal (Getty Images)Visit the Mirror Football YouTube channel to see more from Rodri's in-depth discussion with our Chief Football Writer John Cross.
“It’s a different game. Emotions are strong, your heart is going, and it’s normal that things don’t go the same way. There were lots of ups, but I remember that I started the game well. However, when I went into half-time, the coach, Pep Guardiola, was very direct to me, ‘We need you to be better’.
“I knew I had to do much more. To help the team, the team needed a better version of me and I remember thinking, ‘Give everything, don’t think of the consequences and just go forward’.
“Then, suddenly, this ball appeared to me. To be honest, I wasn’t part of the chance or the play, but it appeared there and I made two or three steps because I found the space.
Man City's midfield maestro spoke to our man John Cross this week (Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)“The first thing I thought was to shoot strong and then I realised it would be my one chance of the game. I saw about eight players covering the goal and I thought if I banged this ball, it would be easier for them. So I faked that I was going to shoot and then I did and, when it went in, I think I went on the fastest run of my life! Emotions, everything, came through.
“I remember I talked to my team-mates and there were still 20 minutes left. When the referee blew the whistle, you could see the faces. It had been so tough to do it and you could see how much we had worked for the trophy.”
That memory erased the heartbreak of City losing the Champions League Final two years earlier when Rodri did not start against Chelsea. He added: “It’s something you live with in football. It was the coach’s decision not to play me but I remember that game well because I was united with my team and I wanted so bad to win.
"That’s the secret of this team. We couldn’t do it, the next year we couldn’t get into the final and then we had another chance.
"I knew we could take another step forward and then just naturally I just went for it.”
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