Rodri Refuses to Give Up on Premier League Title Despite Setback
London – Manchester City midfielder Rodri remains optimistic about his team’s chances of winning the Premier League title, despite a 1-1 draw against West Ham United on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The result leaves City nine points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Match Recap
Manchester City took the lead at London Stadium through a goal from Bernardo Silva in the 31st minute. However, West Ham quickly responded with a goal from Konstantinos Mavropanos just four minutes later, leveling the score. The match ultimately ended in a draw, hindering City’s pursuit of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League standings. Arsenal had earlier secured a 2-0 victory over Everton.
Rodri’s Perspective
Despite the setback, Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, insists City will continue to fight for the title. “Maybe (the title competition) is over, maybe not. We will not let go, we will continue to fight,” Rodri stated to TNT Sports. He acknowledged the difficulty of closing the nine-point gap but emphasized his team’s commitment to competing until the end of the season.
Rodri also identified areas where City needs to improve. “Now is a moment of no regrets. Today we showed what the season is like, ups and downs, then maybe the last pass or the last kick could be the difference. Football is about goals and we couldn’t locate a player who could score that many goals.” He highlighted the importance of converting chances, despite City’s control of possession and game creation.
Upcoming Fixture
Manchester City has one game in hand compared to Arsenal. The two title contenders are scheduled to meet at the Etihad Stadium on April 19, in a match that could significantly impact the Premier League title race.
Rodri’s Career Highlights
Rodri joined Manchester City from Atlético Madrid in 2019 for a reported fee of £62.8 million. He has turn into a key player for the club, helping them win four consecutive league titles from the 2020–21 to the 2023–24 seasons. Rodri also plays for the Spain national team and was part of the Spanish team that won the UEFA European Championship in 2024 and the UEFA Nations League in 2023.
Prior to joining Manchester City, Rodri played for Villarreal and Atlético Madrid in La Liga. He is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, known for his passing, composure, playmaking and physical attributes.