Manchester City’s midfield linchpin and reigning Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri, has confirmed he will defer any decision regarding his club future until after the upcoming World Cup, according to Football365. The 29-year-old Spain international, who is entering the final year of his contract with the Premier League champions, has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.
A looming club decision
The speculation around Rodri’s future has intensified as his contract with Manchester City winds down. With just 12 months remaining on his current deal, the prospect of a high-profile transfer has become a significant talking point, particularly given the reported interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Rodri acknowledged the natural buzz surrounding his situation but stressed his commitment to the immediate task at hand. “Well, I’m trying not to make too much of it, but it is part of my job, especially when a player has been nearing the end of his contract for some time – it’s only natural that names come up,” Rodri stated, as reported by Reuters on June 2. “But anyway, I’m very calm, I know exactly where I stand, and yes probably if there hadn’t been a World Cup, I might be in a different situation now but with a World Cup on the horizon, my responsibility is to stay focused. We’re here to talk about the World Cup and everything that concerns my future, I’ll wait until the end of the World Cup.”
World Cup focus for Spain
Rodri’s immediate attention is now firmly fixed on his responsibilities with the Spain national team as they prepare for the World Cup, which takes place in North America from June 11 to July 19. Spain has been drawn into Group H, where they will face:
Read also: Donald Trump eyes NBA finals attendance as Knicks clinch spot
- Cape Verde
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
To galvanize his teammates for the challenging tournament ahead, Rodri has drawn inspiration from an unexpected source: tennis legend Rafa Nadal. He revealed that he has urged his Spain squad to adopt the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s relentless mentality.
“What I told them is that we need to try to play without the ball like a small team. With that mindset of not thinking you’re the best,” Rodri explained. “I was just watching the documentary on 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, bringing out all the talent this team has, which is very big.”
For now, the focus for Rodri remains solely on leading Spain through their World Cup campaign, with his highly anticipated club decision firmly on hold until the tournament concludes.
Sources: www.football365.com
Read also: Giants' Jaxson Dart sparks political debate after Trump rally appearance
Read also: Alexander Isak scores for Sweden but Liverpool future uncertain amid injury concerns
