Manchester City's influential midfielder Rodri has sent shockwaves through the football world by opening the door to a potential departure from the Etihad Stadium, with Real Madrid emerging as a possible destination. The 2023 Ballon d'Or winner, currently on international duty with Spain, made the revealing comments in an interview with Spanish radio station Onda Cero, casting significant doubt over his long-term future at the Premier League champions.
Rodri's Contract Situation and Injury History
The 29-year-old Spanish international, who will turn 30 in June, has a contract with Manchester City that expires in the summer of 2027. However, Rodri has been battling significant injury problems in recent seasons, spending nearly all of the previous campaign sidelined with an ACL injury before a hamstring problem disrupted the first half of the 2025/26 season.
Despite these setbacks, Rodri has shown signs of returning to full match fitness, having played the complete 90 minutes in nine of his last eleven Premier League appearances. This return to form comes at a crucial time for Manchester City, who currently trail league leaders Arsenal by nine points with a game in hand as they attempt to mount a title challenge.
Spanish Return on the Cards
When questioned about the possibility of returning to play in his homeland, Rodri responded enthusiastically: "I'd like to return, yes, obviously. For me, LaLiga is where I started. I still follow it, it's true not as much as before, but I still follow it."
The midfielder joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, making the prospect of a move to their fierce rivals Real Madrid particularly intriguing. When pressed specifically about this possibility, Rodri pointed to historical precedents: "No, I mean, there have been many players who have gone down that path, right? And especially not directly, but over time. I mean, for me, you can't turn down the best clubs in the world."
He specifically highlighted former Atletico players Thibaut Courtois and Marcus Llorente as examples of those who have crossed the Madrid divide, suggesting such a move wouldn't be unprecedented.
Praise for Real Madrid and Bernabeu Atmosphere
Rodri offered glowing praise for Real Madrid and their iconic stadium, further fueling speculation about a potential transfer: "They have a fanbase that really goes all out for them, and for me, the Bernabeu is always incredible, a stadium that's very imposing."
These comments come just days after Rodri featured in Manchester City's comprehensive 5-1 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League, a result that eliminated Pep Guardiola's side from the competition. The midfielder had previously started in Manchester City's Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal the weekend before the European exit.
Premier League Intensity and Future Considerations
Rodri also expressed concerns about the physical demands of English football, suggesting the Premier League's intensity may not suit him indefinitely given his recent injury history: "I have to admit that the Premier League is my weakness. I think it's a thrilling league but at the same time very demanding, meaning it pushes you to the limit. I've been there for seven years now, and I'm noticing the passage of time, but for the moment I'm very happy there."
The Spanish international emphasized that his current focus remains on regaining full fitness rather than contract negotiations: "I'm currently recovering from an injury, and what worries me right now is my feeling, my level, how to get back to my previous level. Not the contract issue, that will come, especially with a World Cup coming up, which is crucial for reaching my level."
However, Rodri acknowledged that discussions about his future will eventually need to take place: "Right now I'm free, well, obviously I have a year left on my contract, obviously there will be a point where we'll have to sit down and talk, have a conversation."
These revelations come at a sensitive time for Manchester City, who are already facing a significant points deficit in the Premier League title race and have recently been eliminated from the Champions League. Manager Pep Guardiola had previously expressed confidence about the club's future following the Real Madrid defeat, but Rodri's comments introduce new uncertainty about the midfield anchor's long-term commitment to the project.
