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Manchester City midfielder Rodri has claimed Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi has the potential to be one of the best players in the world.

Zubimendi is a new arrival at the Emirates after signing from Real Sociedad for around £55million amid competition from the likes of Real Madrid and he has been hailed a player who can lead Arsenal to silverware on a regular basis.

Rodri is an international team-mate of Zubimendi's with Spain and has a high opinion of his fellow midfielder, tipping the 26-year-old to replace him as the future star of the national side.

The reigning Ballon d'Or winner believes Zubimendi's discipline and mentality are what sets him apart from his rival midfielders after already impressing during Arsenal's first three games of the season.

"He’s a great player,’ Rodri said ahead of Spain's World Cup qualifier against Turkey. "He has the discipline and mentality that can lead him to become one of the best, if he isn’t already.

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"I spoke to him the other day and told him it was his time, that I was leaving him the keys to the team."

Rodri and Zubimendi both starred in the Spain team that beat England 2-1 to win Euro 2024 last year - an achievement that led to the former being named as Ballon d'Or winner.

But that prestigious accolade also came at a difficult time for Rodri as he was ruled out for the season with an agonising ACL injury.

He said the injury certainly overshadowed the honour of receiving the award, but admitted it helped him during a testing period on the sidelines.

"The injury is much more significant than the Ballon d’Or,’ he added. ‘It was a breath of fresh air at a time when I was having a really hard time. I’m happy for the recognition."

Rodri's comments come at a time when he is trying to rediscover his incredible form that won him the Ballon d'Or in the first place, but he has struggled after his lengthy injury lay-off.

But after he failed to impress in Manchester City's 2-1 loss to Brighton, Rodri defended his performances and said the group had to take collective responsibility.

"I'm not [Lionel] Messi," he told Sky Sports. "I'm not going to come back and just make the team win and win and win.

"This is a collective. When we won in the past I needed all my team-mates. For sure I need to recover my best level and we have to look to all of ourselves, it is a collective sport. Hopefully after the break we can be much better."

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