Manchester City midfielder Rodri has delivered an update on his future at the Etihad Stadium amid reported interest from Real Madrid.
The 28-year-old has developed into arguably the best midfielder in world football under the tutelage of manager Pep Guardiola and has enjoyed a hugely successive spell at Man City since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019.
Rodri has made a total of 258 appearance for the Citizens across all competitions, chipping in with 26 goals and 30 assists, and has won 11 trophies including four Premier League titles and one Champions League.
The Spain international was also a standout performer as they triumphed at Euro 2024, with the City star winning the Player of the Tournament award, while he has also been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d'Or and is considered among the favourites to receive the prestigious prize.
Rodri, who made his first appearance of the season for Man City as a substitute in last weekend's 2-1 Premier League win over Brentford, has three years remaining on his contract and there have been reports suggesting that the Citizens are keen to offer the midfielder a bumper new deal.
However, City's No.16 has been linked with a possible return to his homeland, as La Liga giants Real Madrid are said to be eyeing up a big-money swoop for the Spanish lynchpin.
© Imago
Rodri addressed the speculation surrounding his future at a pre-match press conference ahead of Man City's Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Wednesday - a repeat of the 2023 final in which Rodri scored the decisive goal to help the Citizens win 1-0 and complete a historic treble that season.
"I have three more years at Man City and when I sign the contract I don't think of other teams," said Rodri. "So I have three more years at Man City, and nothing more to say".
In a separate interview via Man City's official YouTube channel, Rodri similarly added: "Nothing much to say. I have, with this three more years at City and when I signed the contract, I don't think of other teams, I just think of finishing. So yeah, I have a contract with City, nothing else to say."
Could Rodri swap Man City for Real Madrid?
As things stand, it seems as if Rodri is focused fully on representing Man City in the long term and has not been distracted by a big move to Real Madrid - something which should be considered as a major positive for the Citizens.
It remains to be seen whether Los Blancos will step up their pursuit of Rodri in 2025, but City will be keen to ensure that they can tie down their star midfielder to a new long-term contract before then.
Meanwhile, Man City are expected to internally discuss the future of 33-year-old playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who is out of contract in the summer of 2025, and goal machine Erling Haaland who, like Rodri, is under contract until 2027.
Oliver Thomas
