Manchester City superstar Rodri addresses Real Madrid transfer rumors ahead of Euro 2024 final with Spain
Rodri has quashed suggestions he could be headed from Manchester City to Real Madrid by firmly committing his future to the Premier League champions. The Spanish midfielder has been at Euro 2024, where his future has recently been the hot topic of debate.
The 28-year-old former Atletico Madrid man played down speculation over a potential move to Madrid. He told Diario AS ahead of Spain's Euro 2024 final against England on Sunday (July 14):
"I’m very, very happy in England. I’m at one of the best clubs in the world, it’s obvious, and I’m happy. I have a three-year deal and, when the time comes, I will see."
Rodri's Spanish teammate Dani Carvajal sparked talk of a potential Real Madrid transfer with an interview last night. Los Blancos' long-serving right-back said 'he'd be perfect' for the La Liga giants and that he's continuously tried to persuade him to head to the Santiago Bernabeu.
City signed the 55-cap Spain international from Atletico in July 2019 for €70 million. He's become one of the Cityzens' all-time greats, the rock at the heart of Pep Guardiola's midfield.
Rodri scored the winner in a 1-0 win against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final in 2023. That completed a continental treble for Guardiola's men, the second English club to achieve the feat.
Rodri was frustrated with Real Madrid after Manchester City's Champions League exit
Real Madrid eliminated City from last season's Champions League in the quarterfinals. They won 4-3 on penalties after a 4-4 aggregate draw between the two European heavyweights.
Los Blancos' win came after a dominant showing from the Cityzens at the Etihad in the second leg. They were held to a 1-1 draw but had 33 attempts to Madrid's eight on home soil.
Rodri was unhappy with the manner of his side's exit as he felt they were the only team trying to win before the shootout. He said (via BBC Sport):
"To be honest, I saw only one team. In terms of defending, they defended [well]. They knew how to suffer and we know how tough Real Madrid are. But in my opinion we should go through with that amount of chances but this is the trick of this competition. They know how to play it. We congratulate them."
Guardiola's men bounced back by winning the Premier League title, becoming the first English club in history to do so four seasons in a row. They had punished Los Merengues in the 2022-23 Champions League campaign with a 4-1 aggregate win in the semifinals.