Spain captain Rodri attended a pre-match press conference for the UEFA Nations League alongside coach Luis de la Fuente ahead of their opening match against England. Rodri expressed his confidence in his former club Manchester City's ability to overcome the difficulties they currently face, after The Citizens were recently accused of financial rule breaches.

Do you feel a sense of responsibility as world champion?

Of course, especially after the journey we've had. But this team is hungry for greater glory, and we know what it means to be defending champions, but we also understand that the only way forward is to keep improving ourselves. Let the past be the past; now it's time to focus on the UEFA Nations League. Tomorrow, we'll face a team that has performed well in important matches.

114 of 115 charges against Manchester City have been confirmed.

I went through the exact same process in 2020. The legal process was identical, only the accuser was different. The club always told us not to worry, that we wouldn't be punished, and in the end, the club was indeed cleared. Regardless of the outcome, I hope justice will prevail. But I'm convinced Manchester City will be cleared.

Do you give the impression that you don't want the Ballon d'Or?

Do you believe I don't want it? (laughs) This award doesn't depend on what you say, but on what you do on the pitch and on a jury of 100 journalists. As I always say, individual awards are a reward for collective work. Of course, personally, I always hope the winner is Spanish. I hope I can win, but it's not something I can decide.

How are things two months after winning the title?

For me, this is an exciting period. I'm pleased to have won the World Cup and proven that I'm back to my best form. Now, I'm entering another exciting phase. I'm very grateful to Barcelona; I've joined a hugely important club, and I'm satisfied with how things have gone. It was a busy summer, but now that everything is sorted, I'm happy to be here representing my country.

Barcelona players form the backbone of Spain's team.

The chemistry between players is very important, and if you have many players from the same club, it's very helpful. But the national team belongs to everyone, and you always need to make some mental adjustments. I think it's good to have seven or eight players from the same club in the squad, especially when that club's playing style is very similar to the national team's.

Are de la Fuente's demands very different from Flick's?

Every coach has some differences in specific demands, but many situations are similar, especially regarding responsibility. Under Hans (Flick), our defensive approach was different from the national team, but both coaches demand similar things from their players: taking a leading role in your position, starting the press, initiating attacks...

How does it feel to return to living in Spain?

It wasn't difficult to adapt because Spain is my home country. I lived in England for seven years and missed many things here since I consider it my home. I'm happy to be back playing in England and I'm looking forward to a great match tomorrow, where we can show everyone what kind of team we are.

Guardiola says we'll see the best Rodri again this season.

He understands that a player needs to go through various stages of recovery after a serious injury. Guardiola was a midfielder, and I can't remember if he suffered a similar injury, but the recovery process is crucial. Currently, everyone wants instant results, but the body has its own recovery process. I understand this and I'm mentally ready; my goal is to be in peak condition for the World Cup. With such a plan, the unseen effort behind it bears fruit. I'm grateful to Pep (Guardiola) for understanding this process and not only considering the club's interests. That's why everyone saw me in peak condition at the World Cup in North America; for that, I want to thank Manchester City and Pep. I'm satisfied with the entire recovery process and my rehabilitation progress.

Becoming a Manchester City legend.

If you work hard every day, success will eventually come. Everything we've achieved cannot be taken away by anyone, because it cannot be bought with money; it's the result of working together every single day. I'm very proud to have been part of one of the most glorious periods in English football.

Are you worried Manchester City will have its titles stripped?

This means something different to players than it does to journalists. I understand all perspectives, but we try to stay optimistic. If you've seen the effort everyone at Manchester City has put in to achieve success, you'll understand that our achievements cannot be stripped away. They weren't bought with money, but achieved through hard work and team spirit. Everything we've accomplished is well-deserved; we created one of the greatest eras in English football. I'm convinced the club is innocent, and we overcame similar difficulties in 2020.

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