Rodri, the captain of Spain’s World Cup-winning team, has officially joined Barcelona from Manchester City. He arrived in Barcelona on Monday to finalize the transfer. In a statement, Rodri expressed his excitement, calling it a dream to play for the Catalan club.
The 30-year-old Rodri helped Spain secure its second World Cup title last month and will join international teammates Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi and Pedri at Barceclona. His deal with Barcelona reportedly will go until 2030. Rodri won the Golden Ball as the World Cup’s best player.
There have been some very intense days, but I’m happy that everything has been resolved,” Rodri told reporters briefly. “Very happy to arrive. “For me it’s a dream to play for Barcelona. I’m excited about being with my teammates, many of them I already know. Now it’s time to get to work and give my best. He had one year left on his contract at City.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, chasing a three-peat in La Liga, has already boosted its squad with England forward Anthony Gordon, who will help to make up for the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in extra time in the World Cup final against Argentina. The club is also set to add defender João Cancelo in the next few days.
Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019. He scored the winning goal in the Champions League final victory over Inter Milan in 2023, and won the Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player the following year after being part of Spain’s European Championship-winning team. Rodri did not play on Sunday in City’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield.
He is recovering from minor back surgery he underwent after the World Cup.
