Yaya Toure played 316 games for Man City
Was asked to choose between Rodri and some huge names
Ex-midfielder backed Rodri over all-time greats
Legendary former Manchester City star Yaya Toure has been comparing Rodri with the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders, backing the Ballon d’Or winner over some iconic names.
Toure won 97 caps for his country, captaining the Ivory Coast to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations alongside a glittering club career that saw him make over 300 appearances for Man City, winning three Premier League titles, three League Cups and the FA Cup in 2011.
The four-time African Footballer of the Year also lifted the Champions League with Barcelona in 2009, as well as two La Liga titles, and he achieved a league and cup double with Olympiacos.
Remembered as one of the most gifted midfielders in Premier League history, few could give a more knowledgeable opinion when comparing some of the league’s greatest ever stars.
Yaya Toure backs Rodri over Premier League legends
According to Toure, none have been better than one member of the current City squad, with the Ivorian choosing Ballon d’Or winner Rodri over a host of iconic names.
Speaking to Blue Moon, the 42-year-old was asked to choose between Rodri and the likes of N’Golo Kante, Roy Keane and Claude Makelele, but he chose the Spaniard on every occasion.
🚨🆕 Pour Yaya Touré, c’est simple, Rodri c’est le meilleur ! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/4AvSoqmYX7
— Blue Moon (@FRBlueMoon) April 14, 2026
Toure did struggle when he had to decide between Rodri and World Cup-winning Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, but he eventually settled on the Man City star.
“No, that’s gonna be complicated!” he said.
“That’s gonna be difficult. Vieira was my idol, but I have to be honest, and Rodri has scored more goals and things. Yeah, okay, Rodri!”
Can Manchester City afford to lose Rodri?
With Rodri’s contract situation still uncertain, rumours over the star’s future begin to circulate as he enters the final year of his current deal.
Real Madrid are the most likely destination, with the Spanish star linked with a return to his home country and openly discussing the possibility in the past.
For City, his departure would be a massive loss. Rodri has been integral to Pep Guardiola’s squad for several years, and no club would be unaffected by the exit of a Ballon d’Or winner still in his prime.
However, the Carabao Cup winners are better-placed than most to mitigate such a problem, and have continued to recruit well and replace massive names over the years.
Rodri himself has filled the voids left by players like Toure and Fernandinho, and while his departure would be significant, the club has repeatedly proved it can handle major exits.
How does Rodri compare to PL greats like Keane and Vieira?
In terms of honours, Rodri certainly deserves to be in the same conversations as all-time greats such as Keane and Vieira.
The 29-year-old has won four Premier League titles, one more than Vieira but well behind the seven Keane managed with Manchester United.
All three have lifted the Champions League, though Vieira did so with Inter Milan, and the Frenchman is the only one of the three to have won the World Cup.
However, Rodri’s achievements in the Premier League come after far fewer appearances, having played just 194 times in the league, compared with 307 for Vieira and 366 for Keane.
It is hard to say who is the greatest Premier League midfielder of all time, but Rodri is undeniably one of the names that must be considered.