Rodri would prefer Barcelona over Real Madrid, says Mendieta

Gaizka Mendieta has warned Real Madrid not to assume Rodri would join them if he leaves Manchester City, saying the midfielder has a strong link with Barcelona. Rodri is on the road back to his best after missing almost all of last season with a torn ACL and suffering repeated injury setbacks this campaign, contributing to City’s push in the Premier League and Champions League.

His long-term future at City remains unclear as he approaches the final year of his contract. Madrid have frequently convinced players to see out deals and then move to the Bernabéu on free transfers, as happened with Kylian Mbappé, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Antonio Rüdiger.

Mendieta highlighted a “big connection” between Rodri and Barcelona, pointing to figures such as Txiki Begiristain and Pep Guardiola, and said the decision would ultimately be the player’s. He added that it would be difficult to imagine Rodri joining Real Madrid and believes the midfielder will want to stay and regain the form he showed before his 2024 injury.

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