Manchester City’s Rodri keeps door open to Real Madrid move
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Manchester City's Rodri celebrates scoring their second goal in their 10-1 FA Cup third-round win over Exeter City on Jan 10.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Man City's Rodri hints at a potential Real Madrid move as his contract nears its end, expressing interest in returning to La Liga.
- Despite playing for Atletico, Rodri wouldn't rule out joining their city rivals, stating you "can't turn down the best clubs."
- Rodri dismissed rivalry with Vinicius Jr after the 2024 Ballon d'Or, emphasising respect and external decision-making, according to REUTERS.
AI generated
MADRID – Manchester City’s Rodri has kept the door open to a possible move to Real Madrid as he enters the final year of his contract with the English Premier League club, saying he cannot turn down the world’s top teams and that a return to La Liga would appeal to him.
The Madrid native, 29, began his senior career at Villarreal before signing for Atletico Madrid in 2018.
The midfielder moved to City in 2019 and has since enjoyed a highly successful spell in England, winning the Champions League once and four Premier League titles among a host of major honours.
“Would I like to play in Spain again, in La Liga, in Madrid? I’d like to return, yes, obviously,” Rodri told Onda Cero's Radioestadio Noche programme, ahead of Spain’s friendly against Serbia on March 27.
“I have a year left on my contract; there will come a point when we’ll have to sit down and talk.”
Real, who trail La Liga leaders and defending champions Barcelona by four points, last won the Spanish league in 2023-24, during German midfield maestro Toni Kroos’ swansong season.
Rodri, who is working his way back to form after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in 2024, said having played for Atletico would not prevent him from moving to their city rivals. Players who have played for both sides include goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and forward Alvaro Morata.
“There are other players who have gone down that path – not straightaway, but in time. You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world,” he added.
Rodri also played down any suggestion of rivalry with Vinicius Jr after Real boycotted the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, when the City midfielder won the award ahead of the Brazilian winger.
“I think they wanted to pit Vinicius and me against each other, but not at all,” Rodri said. “I have great respect for him and for everything he did that year too.
“In the end, it’s other people – third parties – who decide who wins the Ballon d’Or.” REUTERS
