Manchester City shaken as Rodri, 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, sends a clear signal opening the way to join Real Madrid.
On 26 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Rodri, Manchester City's key midfielder and 2024 Ballon d'Or holder, currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, sparked transfer rumors again after admitting it is difficult to refuse a world-class club like Real Madrid, as he has only one year left on his Manchester City contract.
When asked about the chance to join the 15-time European champions, Rodri told Onda Cero, “I have one year left on my contract, and there will come a time when we need to talk. You cannot say no to the best club in the world.”
Rodri has been continuously linked with a return to Spain’s capital, and although he previously played for Atlético Madrid, he does not close the door to a future move to Santiago Bernabéu.
Regarding his physical condition, he admitted that the long break due to the anterior cruciate ligament injury, while affecting the team's form, has allowed him to recover both physically and mentally. “It was a good time to rest and reset. Now I’m back with full energy and feel like the old Rodri again.”