Manchester City midfielder Rodri has officially addressed the intensifying speculation linking him with a high-profile move to Real Madrid.
His current contract at the Etihad is due to expire in the summer of 2027, and the Spain international’s future has taken center stage as City prepare for the crucial Champions League showdown.
When asked about rumors regarding a return to the Spanish capital, the former Ballon d’Or winner gave a particularly candid response, on the verge of denial.
“No, no, I’m not going to answer that,” Rodri said, as quoted by GOAL.
It’s a time to think about what the team has now and my season, but it’s a lot and we’ll see.
Foundation of the Guardiola era
Since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for $62.6 million, Rodri has established himself as a driving force in manager Pep Guardiola’s team. The 29-year-old made 291 appearances, scoring 28 goals and providing 32 assists, playing a fundamental role in a trophy-filled era that included 11 major honors and four Premier League titles.
Real Madrid’s interest has reportedly been long-standing, with the Spanish giants seeing the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner as a transformational addition to their already elite midfield.
Rodri’s refusal to close the door on a potential departure comes at a delicate time for the Citizens, who are currently grappling with significant challenges on the European stage.
Climb the mountain during Arbeloa’s match against Madrid
This transfer story coincides with the disastrous situation in the Champions League Round of 16. Manchester City go into the second leg at the Etihad trailing 3-0 after Alvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid’s excellent performance at the Santiago Bernabé.
Federico Valverde’s hat-trick in the first leg means the Premier League champions face a second successive defeat after losing 6-3 on aggregate to Los Blancos last season.
Manager Josep Guardiola acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead and spoke cautiously about the team’s potential for a historic turnaround. Guardiola said: “At the moment there aren’t many chances.”
Of course I’ll try it. Now everything is more difficult in our mindset, but we are there, we are with our people … and we will try.
As the clock ticks down to kick-off, Rodri’s performance on the pitch will be under as much scrutiny as his words. Many believe this could be one of his last nights in Europe in a City shirt.
