Rodri is targeting a comeback this season despite the Manchester City midfielder having previously been ruled out until next year due to a serious knee injury.

The Spaniard suffered ACL ligament damage in September’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. After undergoing surgery City announced he would not be available until next season.

But the 28-year-old told The Rest Is Football Podcast that he hopes to play again this year. “My target is to come back this season,” said Rodri. “In terms of my mentality it’s going to be positive for me to not give up the season. I don’t want to run [go to fast in the attempt] – I don’t want to make mistakes. But that’s my mentality. I don’t know when – my target is six, seven months, but the physios will dictate.”

Rodri became Spain’s second Ballon d’Or winner in October. The decision caused Real Madrid not to attend the ceremony in Paris due to their belief that their forward Vinícius Júnior should have won the award.

Rodri said: “It’s a decision of individuals or clubs in general to decide what to do. I cannot respect the decision, I always said I wouldn’t do it in the same way – I remember last year that maybe Erling [Haaland] was close to winning it. I wanted to be there to support him with the rest of the club. Even though Leo [Messi] won it, we were there clapping him because the Ballon d’Or is a recognition not for a player, it’s for a year, for a level of a guy for a whole year. So in sport and in life, it’s important to win. But I think even more it’s about how to lose [with respect].

“I always say the same: ‘It was my moment, I didn’t want to speak about others. They didn’t want to be there [up to them].’ I want to be with my club, my family, the people that were there and clapped for me. That was a fantastic moment.”

At the moment, Rodri would not wish to be a coach when he retires. “At the minute, I’d say no. I see Pep, I see [other] coaches, they have the same life we have in terms of travels, a lot of times in. I don’t know if I want that for my next period of life. At the minute, no, I always said, I see [City sporting director] Txiki’s [Begiristain] face and I like it more. He looks more clean and relaxed.”