Rodri sends "pick me" message to Real Madrid: Bernabeu is always incredible
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 26.03.26. | 12:41
The Manchester City midfielder openly flirts with Los Blancos, suggesting it won't be a problem for him to join them despite his previous Atletico Madrid spell
The door isn't just open - it's wide open. And Rodri has made sure the message reached Real Madrid loud and clear.
The Manchester City metronome, the brain of Pep Guardiola's all-conquering machine, has dropped a bombshell: a return to La Liga is not just on his mind, it's a desire.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, who has won nine major trophies in sky blue, has just come back from the abyss, after a brutal cruciate ligament injury wiped out the end of last season and delayed the start of this one. Yet he returned in style, commanding City's midfield in the 2-0 League Cup final win over Arsenal like he never left.
But beneath the surface, something has shifted.
Speaking to Onda Cero radio while on international duty, the Spaniard didn’t hide his wish to come back and play in his homeland:
"I'd like to return, yes, obviously."
"For me, La Liga is where I started. I still follow it, it’s true, not as much as before, but I still follow it.
"And I have to admit that the Premier League is my weakness. I think it's a thrilling league, but at the same time very demanding, meaning it pushes you to the limit. I've been there for seven years now, and I'm noticing the passage of time, but for the moment, I'm very happy there.
"I'm currently recovering from an injury, and what worries me right now is my feeling, my level, and how to get back to my previous level. Not the contract issue, that will come, especially with a World Cup coming up, which is crucial for reaching my level."
The fact that before Manchester City, he previously represented one of Real Madrid's major rivals, Atletico Madrid, doesn't mean too much for the 29-year-old, who believes that wouldn't be an obstacle for a potential move to Real.
"No, I mean, there have been many players who have gone down that path, right? And especially not directly, but over time. I mean, for me, you can't turn down the best clubs in the world.
"They have a fanbase that really goes all out for them, and for me, the Bernabeu is always incredible, a stadium that's very imposing."
With just one year left on his contract, Rodri's message is clear: if Real Madrid call, he will listen.
The signal has been sent. And in Madrid, they've definitely heard it.