Rodri has been an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s squad since joining Manchester City from Atlético Madrid in 2019.
The Spain international was a key part of Manchester City’s treble winning squad during the 2022/23 season. He went on to win the European championship with La Roja in 2024.
This helped the Manchester City star win the 2024 Ballon d’Or in October of that year. He suffered a serious injury a month before that, forcing him to spend the majority of last season on the sidelines.
Rodri struggled with injuries in the first half of the season. His situation improved in recent weeks as featured regularly since the start of this year.
During July, Sport Witness covered Real Madrid’s desire to sign the midfielder. The Citizens, on the other hand, want to renew his contract beyond 2027.
Fast forward to February and Wednesday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo covers Los Blancos’ interest in Rodri. The newspaper focuses on the La Liga giants’ strategy for the summer. For midfield, they have their eyes on the Manchester City man.
El Desmarque have a report on the possibility of the Spanish giants bringing the 29-year-old back to Madrid.
Ballon d’Or may be an issue
Journalist Rubén Uría provided an update on El Desmarque Madrugada that Rodri won’t end up at Real Madrid.
“It would be very difficult for Rodri to go to Real Madrid. Something broke down between Rodri and Real Madrid when he won the Ballon d’Or. There were people connected to Real Madrid who behaved indecently regarding the Ballon d’Or,” he said.
Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior was hoping to win the Ballon d’Or in 2024. The Brazilian lost to Rodri, and this hadn’t pleased the La Liga side.
Another journalist Roberto Gómez told El Desmarque Madrugada why the Madrid club shouldn’t sign Rodri.
“Rodri doesn’t fit in with Real Madrid’s style,” Gómez explained.
This should come as an encouragement for Guardiola and Manchester City to renew the player’s contract.