Rodri bids an emotional farewell to City
The Spanish midfielder and Ballon d'Or winner leaves Manchester City after seven seasons to sign for Barcelona, addressing fans with a heartfelt message.
The Spanish midfielder and Ballon d'Or winner leaves Manchester City after seven seasons to sign for Barcelona, addressing fans with a heartfelt message.
Barcelona have officially confirmed the signing of Rodri from Manchester City, bringing an end to the era of one of the finest midfielders of his generation in English football. The 30-year-old Spanish international, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, has signed a contract with the Catalan club until June 2030, it was announced on Tuesday.
The transfer has drawn significant attention as Rodri was a key player for Pep Guardiola and one of the cornerstones of the most successful period in Manchester City's history. Barcelona have paid a substantial fee for his arrival, with sources differing on the exact value of the transfer.
Al Jazeera reports the transfer is worth €76.5 million ($88.5 million), while Channel News Asia mentions a fee of £65.4 million ($88.56 million). Stijena.info, meanwhile, reports a deal worth around £65 million. The discrepancies arise from different currencies and calculation methods, but all sources agree this is one of the biggest transfers of the current window.
Interestingly, Manchester City had previously rejected Barcelona's initial offer of £38.5 million, but negotiations continued and the clubs eventually reached an agreement. Real Madrid were initially the main favorites to sign Rodri, but the Madrid club pulled out of talks, paving the way for Barcelona to secure the Spanish international.
Rodri bid an emotional farewell to Manchester City fans in a message published on the club's official website. "Dear City fans, I've discovered that saying goodbye to you is one of the hardest things in life, but I'll try to do it. It's hard to find words that express the magnitude of gratitude, love, and support that my family and I have received over these years," Rodri said.
He also recalled his early days at the club: "I remember how I felt when I came to sign for the great Manchester City. It was a moment of pure excitement, and I kept telling myself: My God, I'll be playing alongside Kevin, Aguero, Silva, Bernardo, John, and many others, and I couldn't stop smiling."
In seven seasons at Manchester City, Rodri made 298 appearances and scored 28 goals. He won an impressive array of trophies with the club: four Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups, two Community Shields, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. He was a key figure in the continental treble-winning season of 2022-23, and in 2023 he scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan.
"I knew I was joining a top team, but I never thought we'd be able to create the legacy we did, winning trophies, gaining fans worldwide, love, and respect. We became an example that inspires the next generations, not just because of the success, but because of the way we achieved it," Rodri said in his farewell message.
He particularly highlighted the moment he won the Ballon d'Or in 2024. "You can't imagine how proud I am to have won this award in the sky-blue shirt of Manchester City," he said.
Rodri arrived in Barcelona on Monday, where he was greeted by journalists and fans. At the airport, he briefly stated that playing for the Catalan club is his dream. "I'm very happy to be here. For me, it's a dream to play for Barcelona. I'm excited to be with my teammates. I already know many of them. Now it's time to get to work and give my all," he said.
The Spanish midfielder recently underwent a minor back procedure, but he insists he is ready for the start of the season. "I'm ready to go. The operation everyone was talking about wasn't a big deal; it was just an outpatient procedure. I'm ready to train with the team, and when the coach thinks it's time, when I'm back in shape, I'll be ready to play. I hope it's as soon as possible," he said.
Rodri captained Spain to their second World Cup title at the 2026 World Cup, where he was named the tournament's best player. He missed the Community Shield match, in which Manchester City lost 3-0 to Arsenal, due to recovery from his back surgery.
At Barcelona, he will join international teammates such as Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, and Pedri. The club has already signed English forward Anthony Gordon this summer, and defender Joao Cancelo is expected to arrive as well. On the other hand, the club has seen Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres depart, with Torres moving to Paris Saint-Germain, while Bernardo Silva has left Manchester City for Real Madrid.
Rodri's arrival is expected to bring Barcelona added security in midfield, tactical discipline, and the experience needed to compete on both the domestic and European stage. The Catalans will aim to win a third consecutive La Liga title in the upcoming season.
