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By Megan Armstrong
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Spain captain Rodri has never been a hotter commodity, and it appears Manchester City and Real Madrid are fighting for his services.
"Real Madrid are working on a deal to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri," David Ornstein and Mario Cortegana reported for The Athletic. "At this stage club-to-club talks have yet to take place, but Madrid are confident an agreement can be reached and are operating on the basis that Rodri will be joining the club this summer."
Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, was crucial in La Roja of Spain winning their second men's World Cup title, and first since 2010, by defeating Argentina in extra time last Sunday. Rodri won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
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Spain conceded one goal and recorded a record seven clean sheets throughout the 2026 FIFA men's World Cup. While their backline was sensational — centre-back Pau Cubarsi won the FIFA Young Player Award, and goalkeeper Unai Simon won the Golden Glove — Spain's best defense was controlling possession, and everything ran through Rodri.
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"Madrid sources had kept insisting this summer that Rodri was not part of their plans, but the club’s stance has changed following his return from the World Cup, with the performance level he demonstrated and the role he played in Spain's triumph a factor in their decision to pursue him," Ornstein and Cortegana wrote.
Rodri is now the seventh player in world football history to win a Ballon d'Or, World Cup, European Championship or Copa America, and a UEFA Champions League title. It seemed highly unlikely that he would have the chance to add World Cup champion to the list when he tore his ACL in September 2024.
"I'm proud and I would love for new generations to see that it is possible," Rodri said after winning the World Cup, per ESPN. "That a player who touches the sky and then plummets to hell is also capable of rising again. It is an example of overcoming adversity, and you have to believe. Honestly, it's incredible."
Earlier this week, Sam Lee and Guillermo Rai reported for The Athletic that Rodri was set to "undergo surgery for a back injury," and his return-to-play prognosis is unknown. As of now, the colors he'll be wearing are unknown, too.
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