Manchester City fans might want to look away. But Rodri, named a top candidate to win this year’s Ballon d’Or award on Thursday, is already being marked with a move to Real Madrid.
The midfielder, regarded as the best player in the world, is also a complete athlete. He’s well-spoken on and off the pitch.
The Spaniard is City’s engine. When he plays, they win: four Premier League titles and a Champions League title in five seasons serve as a testament. He’s an extension of Pep Guardiola‘s tactical intelligence and a focused professional off it.
So far, the Spaniard has been able to resist the dopamine thrill of social media, thereby missing out on footballers’ ever-expanding branding and ‘athletic entrepreneurship.’ In TV interviews, Rodri keeps it real and simple, a forthcoming, loquacious, and stoic individual.
Rodri now faces a year full of spotlight speculation due to links back home. Spanish outlet AS is already pushing for the Euro 2024 champion’s move to Real Madrid. The ploy seems to be the early innings of how all Read Madrid transfer campaigns begin with Mbappe as the apotheosis: A major outlet kicks the rumor off, the club stays mum, and Florentino Pérez sends his negotiating brigade to seal the deal.
A move for Rodri’s caliber makes sense in this case, even if Madrid is already stacked with talent. Just imagine the immense midfield pairing of Rodri, Valverdge, and Bellingham. Consider Rodri already impressed.
“I remember Real Madrid, they went against Liverpool, they were 2-0 down, and I saw their faces… I was like: ‘These guys are not worried…’,” Rodri told former City goalkeeper Joe Hart in a BBC Interview.
“I said to the lads: ‘Guys, are you seeing their faces?…’ They [Real Madrid players] were like ‘We will overcome this situation, don’t worry…'”
“This calm gives you experience. I couldn’t explain, it’s something you have to live, and when you win it, you realize how tough it is.”
The 28-year-old still has two more seasons left on his City contract. His current market value is a staggering $140 million, easily putting him in the top ten most coveted players. Potential future Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe rank above him.
“I tell Rodri every day to sign for Real Madrid,” Madrid defender Dani Carvajal told Spanish radio station COPE.
“I tell him every day to leave Manchester, that there is no sun there and to come to Madrid that we need him.”
“He tells me he has a contract… but he would be perfect for us.”
Can City convince Rodri to stay long-term? The City Football Group wants to double his wages. But when Real Madrid targets a player, they listen. Rodri would be an unstoppable number 6 in Spain.
