💙👋🏼 Rodri’s letter to Manchester City fans.
Dear City fans, I found that saying goodbye is one of the most difficult things in life but I am going to try. It’s hard to find the words to express how much gratitude, love and support me and my family have experienced all these years.
"I remember how I felt when I arrived, signing for the big Manchester City. It was a moment of pure excitement – ‘wow I am going to play with Kevin, Aguero, Silva, Bernardo, John and many others.’ I couldn’t stop smiling. And then Pep, waiting to teach me everything from day one. Pep I can tell you now, I couldn’t handle all those tactics in my head.
"But a question came to me, ‘could we handle all these expectations for the next years.’ I think that time answered the question. I knew I came into a top team but I never thought we could be able to create the legacy we made winning trophies, fans around the world, love and respect. We made an example to inspire the next generations not only because the success, also because the way we did it. And the fans were with us every step of the way.
"Many incredible moments come to my mind. My first trophy at City, in my first game. The last minute winners, like Arsenal away. Scoring in the Villa game to reach the Premier League, when it looked so tough. Scoring the goal to win the Champions League that we all wanted so much. The incredible reception you gave me after the Balon d’Or. You cannot imagine how proud I am to be the first player to win this award in a sky blue shirt. Making history, with the Treble, with Four in a Row. We saw things they’ll never see.
"And in the bad moments, also, you never let me down. My first day back on the pitch I realised how much you love me and I understood how special these fans were.
"City didn’t just make me a grow as a player. They made me grow as a human. I saw my brother graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University. I could see my girlfriend working for the NHS. Manchester shaped my whole life.
"I will never forget stepping onto the pitch, seeing a sea of blue sing ‘nah, nah, nah, nah…CITY’, taking my scooter into town for a coffee, walking through the parks listening to Oasis and always loving Manchester’s great rain.
"So City fans, it’s time to say goodbye, thanks to the club, the fans, the staff and my teammates. This journey couldn’t be the same without you, my heart will always be Blue.”
After six unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye. Manchester City has been so much more than just a football club to me, it has been my home.
Together, we’ve shared incredible moments and won 12 trophies, creating memories that will stay with me forever. But beyond the success on the pitch, it’s the moments in my personal life that have made this city so special.
I lost my dad here, one of the hardest moments of my life. I got married while playing for this club, and we’ve been blessed with two beautiful children during our time here. Manchester will always hold a special place in my heart because so much of my life has happened here.
To all my teammates over the years the manager and the staff, thank you for every moment we shared and every memory we made. We’ve made history together that will never be forgotten! thank you for taking care of me and my family and for making us feel at home from day one.
And to the fans thank you. Thank you for your incredible support through the highest highs and the toughest lows. I will always be grateful for the way you embraced me and my family.
It’s never easy to say goodbye to a place that has given you so much, but I leave with nothing but gratitude and memories that will last a lifetime.
Manchester will always feel like home.
Thank you for everything. 🩵
🔵🫂 Erling Haaland for Pep Guardiola…
“A coach who never stopped teaching. It sounds crazy to say this, but you made greatness feel normal”.
“Even after hat-tricks, wins and trophies, there was always another lesson, another challenge and another level to reach. That mentality changed this club forever and changed me too. The honour of a lifetime to work with the best. Thank you for everything, boss”.
🚨🆕 Pep Guardiola 🥹🩵 :
"Dans les prochaines années, si vous me trouvez partout dans le monde et que vous me croisez dans les rues ici, en Europe, aux États-Unis, si vous êtes un fan de @ManCity, venez me voir et serrez-moi dans vos bras ! J’en aurai besoin !"
Pep - what can I say? Where do I start? ✍️🩵
It’s difficult to truly describe the impact Pep has had - not only on Manchester City as a football club, but on everything around it as well. The trophies and achievements speak for themselves. But what made him special was always much bigger than winning.
For me personally, he was never just a manager. He was a mentor, a leader and also a friend.
From the very first day we worked together, he challenged me to see football differently. Every detail mattered. Every meter on the pitch had a purpose. There were moments when his intensity pushed all of us to our limits mentally and physically - but looking back, that obsession with perfection is exactly what made his teams so extraordinary.
What many people don’t see from the outside is the human side of Pep. Beyond football, he is incredibly humble, thoughtful and someone who genuinely cares about the people around him.
Over the years, I was lucky enough to experience that side of him very closely. He made me a better player, but also a better person.
When I look back on my career one day, my time working with Pep will always be one of the defining chapters of my journey.
ManCity without Pep will never be the same again. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, my family, the football club, the community and Manchester as a whole. 🩵
Looking forward to seeing you at the game on Sunday! @PepTeam 🙏