As good as Lionel Messi! Rodri joins Inter Miami star and ex-Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale in exclusive club after starring role in Man City’s Club World Cup triumph

Rodri was in the starting XI as City beat the Brazilian side in the final in Saudi Arabia. Despite limping off with an injury after 74 minutes, Rodri joined in the celebrations as Pep Guardiola's team enjoyed their title as world champions for the first time in their history.

While Rodri did not have a particularly strong performance in the final, he was a crucial figure in their journey to become world champions. He was crowned man of the match in the Champions League final win against Inter that secured their qualification into the Club World Cup. Indeed, he is just one of three players to go on to win the best player in the FIFA tournament after being named the best player in the European final. Only Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale have managed it before him, says Squawka.

The Spain international has been a pivotal figure for City this season, having scored four times and chipped in with as many assists in 22 appearances in all competitions. The defensive midfielder admitted he was concerned ahead of the game after City's run of bad results that he says "left a very bad feeling in the changing room for us, so I think it was good for us to stop a little bit and then come here to the [Club] World Cup."

Rodri will be hoping that his injury is not too severe as City prepare for their return to the Premier League, with a game against Everton on December 27 before they finish off the year with a meeting with bottom team Sheffield United on December 30.