The transfer market was once again rocked by major news: Rodri is now in Barcelona.
The captain of the Spanish national team, a recent World Cup champion, arrived in the Catalan city on Monday to finalize the last details of his highly anticipated transfer from Manchester City. Although some formalities were still needed to make the deal official, the player himself made it clear that he is experiencing a very special moment.
“For me, it’s a dream to play for Barcelona,” Rodri said briefly to the media upon his arrival.
The 30-year-old midfielder said he was very happy after a few rather intense days and acknowledged that now he’s only thinking about starting to work with his new teammates.
“I’m very excited to be with my teammates; I already know many of them. Now it’s time to work hard and give it my all,” he said.
A 76.5 million euro transfer
Barcelona and Manchester City are currently exchanging the necessary documentation to finalize the deal.
Barcelona has reportedly agreed to pay 76.5 million euros—about 88.5 million dollars—for the Spanish midfielder. Rodri still had one year left on his contract with City, but all signs point to his new adventure at Camp Nou lasting until 2030. The player was scheduled to undergo a physical later today as part of the final steps before officially completing his move.
Rodri will be reunited with several Spanish national team players
One of the biggest draws of Rodri’s arrival at Barcelona will be his reunion with several of his Spanish national team teammates. The midfielder will share a locker room with Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi, and Pedri—members of a generation that has once again taken Spain to the top of international soccer.
Rodri also arrives as a World Cup champion and one of the tournament’s standout players. The Spaniard was awarded the World Cup Golden Ball, an award given to the best player of the competition.
From City to Barcelona after conquering Europe
Rodri’s recent history with Manchester City carries a lot of weight. The midfielder joined the English club in 2019 from Atlético Madrid and quickly became a key player for Pep Guardiola’s team.
In 2023, he wrote one of the most important chapters of his career by scoring the goal that gave City its first Champions League title in the final against Inter Milan. A year later, he received individual recognition once again by winning the Ballon d’Or, after being part of the Spanish national team that won the European Championship.
Now, after lifting another World Cup with Spain, Rodri is taking on a new challenge in LaLiga.
Real Madrid were interested as well
Rodri’s arrival at Barcelona comes with an added twist: according to various reports, Real Madrid had also shown interest in him. The player had even spoken very highly of Real Madrid in the past, so his decision to wear the Blaugrana jersey represents a significant move in Spanish soccer.
Now he’ll have to prove he can become one of the key pieces in Hansi Flick’s project.
Barcelona wants to continue dominating La Liga
Barça doesn’t seem content with what it has achieved so far. The team led by Hansi Flick is looking to win its third consecutive LaLiga title and continues to strengthen a roster that blends youth and experience. In addition to Rodri, the club has reportedly already signed English forward Anthony Gordon, who arrives to help fill the gaps left by Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Barcelona also plans to sign defender João Cancelo in the coming days, so the project is beginning to take even more shape.
Man City loses another key player
While Barcelona celebrates, Manchester City will have to deal with another significant loss in its midfield. Rodri’s departure comes on top of Bernardo Silva’s move to Real Madrid, leaving the English club with a considerable gap in a key area of the field.
Rodri also did not play in City’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield. The Spaniard continues to recover from minor back surgery he underwent after the World Cup.
For now, his next chapter is in Barcelona. And the message he delivered upon his arrival couldn’t have been clearer: Rodri wanted to play for Barça and is ready to embark on a new dream.
