Rodri open to Real Madrid transfer
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has not closed the door to a potential transfer to Real Madrid.
The 29 year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, is back to full fitness after an injury-hit 12 months.
Rodri, who joined Man City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, has made 293 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola's team.
His absence last season was felt as City relinquished the Premier League title. Over the course of his time at the club, Guardiola's team has won 71.3 percent of the games Rodri has played in, with its win ratio dropping to 62.6 percent when the midfielder does not feature.
With just over a year left to run on his City deal, however, Rodri suggested he wants to return to Spain, and he would definitely be open to playing for Madrid.
"I hadn't planned to play outside of Spain in my career but Manchester City came up as an option in 2019 and I said yes. I have one year left on my contract at Man City. At some point we'll have to sit down and talk," Rodri said.
"Would I like to play in Spain again? In LaLiga, in Madrid? I would like to return, yes.
"Having played for Atletico before would not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid. There are other players who have done that before, maybe not direct transfers, but eventually.
"You can't turn down one of the world's best clubs.
"It doesn't matter if they arrive at the match in a good or bad moment, Real Madrid is always Real Madrid. The door is not closed.
"Playing at the Bernabeu is incredible. It's a very intimidating place."
Rodri beat Madrid star Vinicius Junior in the Ballon d'Or voting in 2024, with Los Blancos subsequently boycotting the ceremony.
"I have nothing against Vini," Rodri said. "I have maximum respect for him, for everything he did that Ballon d'Or year as well. It's other people who decide who wins the Ballon d'Or. They tried to put us against each other, but that's not the case."
