Rodri fulfilled the dream of Pep Guardiola and his Abu Dhabi (UAE) owners Man City with the only goal in the 68th minute in a narrow 1-0 win over Inter Milan. "I'm very emotional, it's a dream come true. All our fans have waited 20, 30, 40 years. I've only been at the club for four years but we deserve it. The previous years we weren't lucky but God finally gives you this gift... It's a dream for all of us," Rodri told BT Sport after the final.
Rodri (right) became Man City's hero with the only goal to defeat Inter
The 26-year-old scored the winner in his 52nd game of the season, a sign of how important he is to Guardiola's City. The Spaniard has played Rodri alongside John Stones in a central midfield role but he is often given permission to push forward to press the opposition defence.
In the final, Rodri appeared to take over as midfield leader as Kevin De Bruyne was forced off early in the first half through injury and prolific striker Erling Haaland was limited by Inter's solid defence.
With the game deadlocked and possibly going into extra time, Rodri was in the right place at the right time when Bernardo Silva's cross was deflected. With the composure that has characterised his role as a central midfielder and defensive supporter all season, Rodri coolly curled a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The moment Rodri coolly kicked the ball past goalkeeper Andre Onana
It was also atonement for a poor first-half display, when he struggled with the pressure Inter imposed and was uncharacteristically sloppy in possession.
Rodri admitted: "I didn't play well in the first half. I played quite badly. I told myself you have to overcome the situation and in the end I scored. It was unbelievable."
Rodri's fourth goal of the season in all competitions was enough to see City through against Inter, who were unlucky to miss two good chances from Federico Dimarco and Romelu Lukaku in the second half. But this was City and Rodri's day. The €70m midfielder was the underdog in a star-studded side but was still a symbol of the financial might of a club that completed a near-perfect season by winning the treble.
Man City completes treble this season
"I think we made history. The good thing is that we wanted more. This project is about wanting more, more ambition," added Rodri, who has won the Premier League, FA Cup and now the Champions League with City. Rodri's goal also helped the Etihad side make history by becoming only the second English team to win the treble in a single season after Manchester United in 1999.
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