The 29-year-old appears to have put his injury issues behind him to once again become a key player for title chasing Man City.
Rodri’s contract at the Etihad Stadium is set to expire in the summer of 2027, however, with Real Madrid said to be keen on bringing him back to Spain.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Man City’s crucial Premier League clash with Newcastle, Guardiola reiterated Rodri’s importance and admitted he wants him to stay.
“I would love desperately (for Rodri to stay),” he said.
“Rodri is Rodri. As much age as he has, more wiser, more understanding of the game.
“There are players that are defined on the big stages, in the difficulties, and Rodri’s one of them, like Bernie (Bernardo Silva), like Ruben (Dias), like many of them that I had in the past. You cannot achieve what we achieved if you don’t have huge personalities.”