Rodri chooses Barcelona after leaving Manchester City in deal worth more than €60m

Rodri says Barcelona was his first choice despite receiving offers from several other clubs, after completing his move from Manchester City on a contract running until the summer of 2030.

The Spain midfielder was presented by Barcelona on Tuesday and said leaving Manchester City had been the most difficult part of the decision.

“Barcelona is a great club and has always been a reference point for me because of its philosophy and its way of understanding football,” said Rodri. “I had other options, but Barcelona was my first choice.”

He added: “The decision was difficult, first of all because I was leaving Manchester City, the club that gave me absolutely everything. I was very happy throughout these years and I will be eternally grateful for everything they did for me. I thank them for understanding that it was the right time to leave.”

Barcelona had previously made two unsuccessful offers for Rodri. The first was worth €45m, while the second rose to €60m, but both were rejected by Manchester City’s management.

The Catalan club then made a third bid worth more than €60m to sign the 30-year-old.

Rodri said he had considered the alternatives carefully before deciding to join Barcelona, with his family and close advisers involved in the process.

“When you receive different options, you obviously have to study everything, analyse it carefully and then make a decision,” he said. “We are talking about very important clubs. Together with my family and the people closest to me, we made the decision we believed was best for us and for what we were looking for.”

Rodri also addressed his recovery from the operation which had attracted attention before his move.

“The surgery people have been talking about was nothing at all; it was just a minor surgical procedure,” he said. “I am ready and prepared for the next stage. In fact, I came out as if nothing had happened after the operation, so I hope I can train normally with the team tomorrow.”

The midfielder has already spoken to Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who he said had conveyed his enthusiasm about the transfer.

“I spoke with Hansi Flick and, clearly, the first thing he passed on to me was his excitement about my arrival,” said Rodri. “I think I still have room to develop as a player and I believe he can polish my skills further.”

“My experience may be what the team needs most at the moment. I want to make use of what I have learned and the experience I have gained over these years, pass on that positive influence to my team-mates and come here to make the contribution that is required.”

Rodri was also asked about comparisons with former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets, who currently works with the club’s reserve team.

“It is an honour to be compared with Sergio Busquets,” he said. “Clearly, we play in the same position and have some different characteristics, as well as many that are shared. He is a player I have always said I admire, and I tried to absorb many things from him during my time with the national team.”

“I understand he is now with the reserve team, so I will see him a little more. He is a great friend, a team-mate and, above all, a major reference point.”

Rodri was more cautious when asked about Julian Alvarez, who plays for Atletico de Madrid.

“I am usually very careful when it comes to players who do not belong to the club,” he said. “I have the utmost respect for Atletico de Madrid, and he is one of their players.”

“Clearly, Julian is a great footballer and can add something to any team in the world. He is one of the best forwards, so that is all I can say.”

Rodri joined Manchester City in 2019 and made 298 appearances for the club, scoring 28 goals and providing 32 assists. He won a number of major honours with City, including the Champions League and Premier League.

He subsequently captained Spain to victory at the 2026 World Cup, where they defeated Argentina in the final. Rodri was named the tournament’s best player, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi.

The midfielder is regarded as one of the finest players in his position in world football and played a major role in Spain’s World Cup triumph.