‘Lucky’ Rodri rates chances of playing in Everton v Man City after injury in Club World Cup final

Rodri has said he was ‘lucky’ to escape without a serious injury following the dangerous tackle from Aleksander in Friday night’s Club World Cup final.

The Manchester City midfielder was forced off in the second half of the 4-0 win over Fluminense after Aleksander’s nasty challenge that caught Rodri on the achilles and appeared to jar his knee. After trying to continue, the Spaniard flopped to the ground and held his face in his hands, before he was replaced in the 74th minute.

It led to fears that Rodri had sustained a serious injury, although those concerns were abated somewhat with the sight of the 27-year-old walking after the game, when he collected the player of the tournament award on stage.

Speaking after the match, City’s no.16 told Sky Sports he was fortunate to escape without a serious injury. “I was very lucky today. It was one of the worst tackles in my career.

“I was so scared because I felt my knee but fortunately it was nothing. I said to the player: 'You cannot do these kind of actions.'

"Today, I won more than a trophy. I go home safe but I was very close to crying. I felt very worried but it is nothing."

Asked whether he would be involved in City’s next game, the trip to Goodison Park on 27 December, Rodri replied: "Yes. I have pain because it was very dramatic but nothing is affected."

Pep Guardiola also said Rodri’s injury did not appear serious. “I didn’t speak, it looks from his face it’s good,” said the City boss. “It was a scare, the action was really tough, we’ll see in the next days how he reacts.”

Meanwhile, City’s 4-0 win over Fluminense saw them set the record for the biggest-ever victory in the final of a Club World Cup and means Guardiola’s side have won five trophies in 2023.