This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Rodri, midfielder for Manchester City and winner of the Ballon d'Or in 2024, admitted that a transfer to Real Madrid is a possibility he does not rule out, despite his past at Atlético Madrid. "Having played for Atlético Madrid does not prevent me from playing for Real Madrid; there are more players who have made that journey. Not directly, over time. One cannot renounce the best clubs in the world," stated the 29-year-old Spanish midfielder in an interview with Onda Cero radio. The player, whose name has been linked to the Merengues on several occasions, reinforced an idea he had already expressed in 2024 on Cadena SER: "When Real Madrid calls you, it is an honor, and you must always pay attention." With a contract with Manchester City until 2027, Rodri acknowledges that the future is open. "I have one year left on my contract; there will come a time when we will have to sit down and talk," he explained, also admitting his desire to return to Spain. "I would like to go back, yes. Obviously." When asked about the alleged interest from the president and the general director of Real Madrid, the player remained reserved. "I don’t know… they don’t talk to me. They talk to my agent," he commented. The midfielder also recalled his career, including his move from Atlético to Villarreal. "I was the one who made the decision to leave Atlético for Villarreal… there was a physical issue because it’s true that at 16 I hadn’t yet made the growth 'leap,' which happened when I arrived at Villarreal," he revealed. Still, he praised the time spent under Diego Simeone's management: "Simeone knew how to detect what I was missing; he pushed me in the competitive aspect, in tactics, in aggression… I learned a lot from him." Rodri, who describes himself as an "atypical footballer" for not having social media or tattoos, also spoke about winning the Ballon d'Or, denying any rivalry with Vinícius. "I think they wanted to create a confrontation between me and Vinícius, and that’s not the case… I have great respect for him. In the end, it’s other people who decide who wins the Ballon d'Or." Currently, the player feels revitalized after a rest period he considered beneficial. "It was good for me to rest, to lower the intensity. There was mental fatigue. It allowed me to recharge and come back with tremendous desire," he confessed, adding: "I feel like I am becoming the Rodri we want again."
Real This Manchester City remains central to this story.
Real This Manchester City remains central to this story.
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