Rodri has pushed any decision on his future to after the World Cup. He said, "With a World Cup ahead, my responsibility is to stay focused. Anything related to my future will wait until after the World Cup," while reports say Real Madrid are ready to move once the tournament is over. Manchester City are trying to keep him on a deal that runs to 2027.

The World Cup comes first

The timing fits Rodri's own position. He has played 7 World Cup matches and carries a 7.48 rating at the tournament, so the focus on Spain's run has clearly taken priority over transfer talk.

That remains the cleanest reading of the quotes. Rodri is 30, City have offered him a new long-term contract to extend his stay beyond 2027, and Madrid bosses have reportedly told him they will make their move after the World Cup. The interest is not going away, but neither is City’s effort to secure him.

City's contract battle after the tournament

There is also the awkward part for City. One report says Rodri's contract expires in 2027, while another frames him as being in his final 12 months, so the exact remaining length is not presented the same way across the coverage. What is clear is that City want a new long-term deal and Madrid keep being linked with a post-World Cup approach.

Madrid's interest has been framed around more than opportunism. They have identified Rodri as the top target for Jose Mourinho's new-look midfield, which is why the talk has returned now rather than fading away.

City's own season adds to the backdrop. They finished second in the Premier League, and Rodri is set to undergo surgery after the World Cup that will sideline him for a few weeks. That leaves the club trying to manage a contract situation while also planning for a short-term absence.

For now, the decision waits until after the tournament. When Rodri comes back from the World Cup and surgery, the transfer noise around City and Real Madrid is likely to get louder, not quieter.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →