The Ballon d'Or winner says he now feels fully recovered from his September ACL injury suffered last year.
Rodri has come off the bench for City's first two games of the Club World Cup and ahead of Thursday's clash with Juventus, he said: "Well, I feel very good, and very happy to be here.
“An amazing tournament to start again to play football and really excited to join the team again, joining in the pitch. That’s the most important thing.
“And be excited to work with them and win - that’s the aim today.
“This is a massive opportunity for me to come back. I feel very, very strong to be honest."
I didn't want to rush
Rodri continued: “You know, the process was long, but I was taking my time and said that the most important thing was to keep focus and don’t be sad or whatever.
“I knew one day I’ll come back and yeah, this day has finally come.
“I’m very excited to play again.
“And though it’s going to still be months until I reach my level, I am so happy.”