Spanish midfielder Rodri said he is focused on the World Cup and will only talk about his future at Manchester City after the tournament.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is entering the final year of his contract with the Premier League club and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
«Well, I try not to make too much of it, but it’s part of my job, especially when a player has been nearing the end of his contract for a while. It’s only natural that names come forward,» the 29-year-old told reporters on Monday.
But anyway, I am very calm, I know exactly where I stand, and yes, if there had been no World Cup, I might be in a different situation now, but with a World Cup on the horizon it is my responsibility to stay focused.
«We are here to talk about the World Cup and everything that concerns my future. I will wait until the end of the World Cup.»
European champions Spain will face Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H during the June 11 to July 19 tournament in North America.
Rodri said he had urged his Spanish teammates to follow the example of tennis great Rafa Nadal after watching a documentary about the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
«What I told them is that we have to try to play without the ball as a small team. With that mentality of not thinking that you are the best,» he added.
«I was just watching the documentary about Nadal and he was always talking about that – always one more ball, one more effort. And that’s what the great champions do and, above all, bring out all the talent that this team has, and that’s very big.»
Published on June 2, 2026
