Rodri from Manchester City addresses Real Madrid transfer rumors and discusses potential player strike

Rodri has stated his commitment to Manchester City, declaring that he plans to stay with the club for the next three years and is not considering offers from other teams, including the rumored interest from Real Madrid.

The 28-year-old has established himself as one of the best players in the world during his five-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, helping Man City win four Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Rodri, who starred in Spain’s European Championship victory over the summer, is one of the most influential players in England and received his second nomination for the Ballon d’Or award earlier this month.

Real Madrid are believed to be interested in bringing Rodri back to Spain following his previous spells at Atletico Madrid and Villarreal but the midfielder intends to see out his contract at City.

Rodri signed a new five-year deal with the Premier League champions two years ago to keep him at the Etihad until the summer of 2027.

That has not stopped Real Madrid from exploring a possible deal but Rodri has dismissed speculation he could leave Manchester City for the Bernabeu.

‘I have three more years at Man City and when I sign the contract I don’t think of other teams,’ Rodri said at a press conference on Tuesday.

‘So I have three more years at Man City, and nothing more to say.’

Rodri has been named in the Premier League Team of the Year for the last two seasons and will hope to get his hands on a fifth league trophy this term.

He is yet to start a game this season after being given an extended break by City boss Pep Guardiola, but is set for another gruelling campaign which will go on until mid-July, when the expanded Club World Cup wraps up.

The expanded football calendar has caused concern among players and coaches and Rodri believes player welfare issues could lead to strike action.

‘I think we’re close to that,’ said Rodri, who has played at least 50 games in four of the last five seasons.

‘It’s the general opinion of the players, and if it keeps this way, we’ll have no other option. I really think it’s something that worries us. We are the guys who suffer.’

Asked about the optimum number of games players should be expected to play across a single season, Rodri added: ‘From my experience I can tell you that 60 or 70 – no.

‘Between 40 and 50 is the amount of games in which a player can perform at the highest level. After that you drop because it is impossible to sustain the physical level. 

‘This year we are maybe going to go until 70 or maybe 80. In my humble opinion, I think it is too much. 

‘Someone has to take care of us because we are the main characters of this, let’s say, sport, or business, whatever you want to call it.

‘Not everything is about money or marketing. It is about the quality of show. In my opinion, when I am not tired I perform better. If people want to see better football then we need to rest.’

Discussing the break he enjoyed following Euro 2024, Rodri said: ‘It was great for my legs and great for me.

‘I had one month off, and maybe a little bit extra for me to recover also. In general terms it was about two months. It’s been great for me to stop a little bit and to prepare myself.

‘Nowadays, it is even more important to do these kinds of things, rather than coming in early to do a pre-season. I think football is changing in that way.

‘It helps me a lot to stop. I don’t watch much football. Of course, when [City] started pre-season I watched them but I tried to disconnect as much as possible.

‘The mental health in that sense was important – to free your mind and move on.’

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