Highway robbery’… Pundit suggests £200k-a-week Manchester City star has just been totally disrespected

‘Highway robbery’… Pundit suggests £200k-a-week Manchester City star has just been totally disrespected

Manchester City midfielder Rodri had a sensational 2023 but that somehow didn’t earn him any recognition at the FIFA Best Awards – and pundit Janusz Michallik has slammed the fact he was overlooked.

 

 

City got good acknowledgment generally at the awards, with Pep Guardiola winning Best Men’s coach and Ederson winning Best Goalkeeper.

 

Six City players made it into the 2023 FIFPRO World 11 – but inexplicably, there was no inclusion for Rodri.

 

It was something that left many Manchester City fans on social media livid, with Rodri having been an absolutely key component in the Treble-winning side of last season.

 

 

Now, pundit Janusz Michallik has also expressed his dismay…

 

Janusz Michallik says it is ‘highway robbery’ that Rodri did not make 2023 FIFPRO World 11

Manchester City v Sheffield United – Premier League

Photo by Dave Howarth – CameraSport via Getty Images

MORE MAN CITY STORIES

There has been absolute outrage on social media that Rodri is not in the FIFPRO World 11 – especially from City fans who watch him week in, week out.

 

Last season, Rodri was the most used player under Guardiola, indicating his importance to the side.

 

Remarkably, the Spaniard actually lifted more trophies (6) for club and country than he lost games (4).

 

 

Speaking about his snub on ESPN UK, Michallik raged: “The fact he’s not there, it’s absolutely bonkers. I don’t even know what to say. For me, I’ll go further, he could have been the best player in the world.

 

“67 appearances for club and country, six trophies, that’s more than he lost games. Man of the Match of the Champions League final. UEFA Champions League Player of the Season. FIFA Club World Cup Player of the Tournament and Best Player at the UEFA Nations League finals. What else do you want? I could easily make a case that this is the best player in the world.

 

“It’s unfashionable to maybe give it to players like that. For him not to be in that starting XI, that’s just highway robbery.”

 

An absolute joke

 

For Rodri not to be in the FIFPRO World 11 is nothing short of ridiculous.

 

The £220,000-a-week star was arguably City’s most important player en route to winning the Treble, and he should have genuinely been the first name on the team sheet, especially having excellent in so many big matches.

 

According to FIFPRO, the team is voted for by professional footballers from 69 countries. So it is unfathomable that Rodri has not received the acknowledgment of his fellow peers.

 

One gets the feeling that Rodri may not actually be as appreciated as he should be until he stops playing the game.