Rodri reveals why he does not have social media as Manchester City star chases Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

Manchester City star Rodri has revealed the reasons why he does not have social media, as the Spaniard goes in search of a remarkable Ballon d’Or success.

The 28-year-old has been nominated for the latest edition of the Ballon d’Or award fresh off the back of a stellar campaign and important role for both Manchester City and the Spanish national team at the European Championships.

Having won a record-breaking fourth-successive Premier League title last season, alongside triumphs in the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup, Rodri continued his fine form into the Euros in Germany, eventually defeating England in the Berlin final.

However, whilst many believe that Rodri has a huge chance of becoming the first defensive midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or since Lothar Matthäus, others feel that his lack of presence online could hinder his chances from a marketing and PR perspective for the award.

Speaking exclusively with former Manchester City goalkeeper and club icon Joe Hart, as part of a conversation for BBC Sport and the Football Daily podcast, Rodri was quizzed on the story behind not being a figure on social media, despite his global fame within football.

“Well, first of all, what I can say is that it’s a decision I made very, very early,” the Spanish international revealed. “It wasn’t normal for a kid of my age to have that personality to say no, because normally you do what the other kids do.

“And I remember my age was the age that started on these platforms, and I said, ‘No I don’t need this, I have my surrounding of friends, I don’t want this, I go to the park, I hang with them in the village or whatever.

“I don’t need to find new friends on the net’. And it’s something I said no to in the beginning and I kept that until the end, so it’s not a decision I made three years ago. For me it was easy to not have it because I never needed the feeling.”

Rodri continued by looking at the present day, and the challenges that face young people as well as the pressure to join social media as he continued, “The problem I think today in this society is they kind of say, ‘Oh you need this, you need this, you need this’.

“And at the end you say, ‘Oh, do I need all of these things? No, I don’t really need all of these things’. And this is something I really appreciate of my decision, and what I can say is that I like to live life how it is. The real life.

“I’ve never met you (Joe Hart) and we’re chilling here today and in the real life. Not today you messaged me or these kind of things. For me, the relationships face to face are the real ones. To be fair, it went good for me. My surroundings are very good and very healthy and I’m very happy for that.”

Rodri does however admit that he understands the positives of being present on social media, but urges those without it to make their own decision as to whether they really need it and whether their life would be benefited by being present online.

“I understand also the good points, the good things about social media, I’m not saying they are terrible,” Rodri admitted. “But the only thing I would suggest is: Do you really need them? If you really need them, go ahead!”

Manchester City have been without Rodri for all of their four competitive matches so far this season, but have failed to be hindered by the absence of the Spaniard, claiming victories in all of their matches including silverware success in the FA Community Shield.

Rodri has returned to on-field duties for the Spanish national team during the most-recent international break, and could return to action for Manchester City in their starting line-up this weekend as Brentford visit the Etihad Stadium.