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Manchester City midfielder Rodri (the artist formerly known as Rodrigo Hernández) set a new English soccer record in his team’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Manchester United on Sunday. The 27-year-old is unbeaten in his last 59 appearances in all competitions for the Champions League holders, the longest streak of any player for a club based in England.

Former Chelsea defender Carvalho’s record broken

The record was previously held by former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho, whose 58-game run stretched from November 2006 to February 2008.

Rodri misses City’s last five defeats

The last time the Spaniard was on the losing side at club level was on 5 February 2023 in a 1-0 league defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur. He was an unused substitute when City lost by the same scoreline on the final day of the season at Brentford and hasn’t featured in any of their four defeats so far in 2023-24.

After being sent off in the win over Nottingham Forest on 23 September, Rodri was handed a three-match ban, with Pep Guardiola’s side losing all three domestic games he missed (Newcastle United, Wolves and Arsenal). He also sat out December’s defeat to Aston Villa because of injury.

The former Atlético Madrid man was, however, on the losing side for Spain against Scotland at the end of March, the only loss he personally has suffered in the last year.

Spaniard sets second personal record in United win

Rodri once again played a crucial role in Sunday’s derby victory over United, helping the City defence fend off counterattacks by the Red Devils, as well as setting up goals for Phil Foden and Erling Haaland. In doing so, he set another personal record, as he had never before provided two assists in the same game.

As a result of Rodri’s superb form and importance to the team, Kalvin Phillips, who had been a regular fixture in the England team, was forced to leave City in the January transfer window for West Ham in order to get game time.

While Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and even Foden receive most of the plaudits, the Spaniard has put forward a strong case to suggest he is Manchester City’s most important player.