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Rodri's future at Manchester City in spotlight
Spain captain Rodri has hinted at a potential move to Real Madrid, despite his pivotal role at Manchester City, where he has won 12 major trophies since 2019. Manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the midfielder's right to leave if unhappy but expressed hope he remains.
Guardiola's stance on player departures
Speaking during the international break, Guardiola emphasized that no player would reject Real Madrid's advances. He stated, "There is not one player that will turn down the chance to play for Madrid." However, he added that Rodri's contributions to City have been "massive" and that the club's priority is player happiness.
"If one player is not happy, they have to leave," Guardiola said. "The organization of the club is above all of us. If Rodri is not happy, he can knock on the sporting director's door, accept an offer, and after that, he doesn't belong to the club-only himself."
Rodri's career at City and injury struggles
Rodri, 29, has made 293 appearances for City since joining from Atlético Madrid in 2019. His contract expires next summer, leaving his future uncertain. The midfielder won the 2024 Ballon d'Or but missed most of last season due to a knee injury, during which City failed to secure a major trophy for the first time in eight years.
This season, a hamstring issue has limited his availability, though he has still featured in 28 games, including City's Carabao Cup victory over Arsenal at Wembley.
Trophy haul and Real Madrid interest
Rodri's silverware at City includes four Premier League titles, the Champions League, an FA Cup, and three League Cups. Despite his success, he told Spanish media: "There have been many players who've gone from Atlético to Real. Not immediately, but over time. For me, you can't turn down the best clubs in the world."
Guardiola praised Rodri's loyalty, saying, "He has shown over time how attached, how close he is to this club." However, he reiterated that the decision ultimately lies with the player.
Club's position and next steps
Guardiola confirmed that City's leadership wants Rodri to stay, but the final call rests with the midfielder. "I know what the club wants-they want him to stay, stay, stay," he said. "I always had a positive feeling about that, but at the end, I don't know."
