Rodri Open to Real Madrid Despite Atletico Past

Rodri keeps door open to Real Madrid move

Manchester City's Rodri hints at possible switch to Real Madrid as contract runs down. Midfielder says playing for Atletico wouldn't stop him joining city rivals Real Madrid.

“Would I ‌like to play in Spain again, in LaLiga...”

Rodri's got one year left on his Manchester City contract and he's keeping his options open, hinting he wouldn't turn down a move to Real Madrid. The 29-year-old midfielder, who started his career at Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, has had a successful stint in England, winning the Champions League and four Premier League titles.

A return to LaLiga would be appealing to Rodri, and he's open to joining Real Madrid despite previously playing for their city rivals, Atletico Madrid. He's cited other players who've made similar switches, like Thibaut Courtois and Alvaro Morata.

🚨💣 Rodri: “The fact that I played for Atlético Madrid does NOT stop me from playing for Real Madrid”.

“You CANNOT refuse the best clubs in the world”, told Onda Cero. pic.twitter.com/Sn1ls3X2dO

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 26, 2026

“Would I ‌like to play in Spain again, in LaLiga, in Madrid? I'd like to return, yes, obviously,” Rodri told Onda Cero's Radioestadio Noche programme ahead of Spain's friendly against Serbia on Friday.

"I have a year left on my contract; there will come a point when ⁠we'll have to sit down and talk.”

Rodri, who's bouncing back from an ACL injury, says playing for Atletico wouldn't stop him from joining Real Madrid. He's rebuilding his form after a tough 2024.

He's not the first to make the switch - Thibaut Courtois and Alvaro Morata have done it before him.

Rodri's brushing off any beef with Vinicius Jr, despite Real Madrid boycotting the Ballon d'Or after he won it over the Brazilian star.