Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will ‘absolutely’ not stand in Rodri’s way if Spain star wants Real Madrid move

“There is not one player that will turn [down] the chance to play for [Real] Madrid,” said Guardiola.

“Always my wish is that Rodri could stay as long as possible in this club because he is an incredible, top player but the life of everyone is everyone’s.”

Guardiola said that Rodri had proved “how attached, how close he is” to City, but added: “The organisation of the club is above all of us – if one player is not happy they have to leave and [we] continue the same always if they are happy – and I think he is happy.

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“If he is not happy just knock on the door of the sporting director, accept an offer according to his incredible quality and after that he doesn’t belong to the club – only himself.

“I know what the club wants. They informed me what they want from Rodri – it is to stay, stay, stay. I always had the positive [feeling] with that but at the end I don’t know.”

Rodri has won four Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and three League Cups at City.

However, he has been less prominent in recent seasons, having missed most of the 2024/25 campaign due to a knee injury and large chunks of this season because of a hamstring issue. 

Rodri, whose City deal expires next summer, told Spanish media about the allure of the Bernabeu over the international break.

The 29-year-old said: “I have one year left on my contract, there will be a point where we will have to sit down and talk.” 

When specifically pressed on reported interest from Real Madrid, and whether he would play for Los Blancos, having previously spent a season at their city rivals Atletico Madrid, Rodri said: “There have been many players who’ve gone down that path [playing for Atletico and Real].

“Not immediately, but over time. For me, you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.”