Rodri has hinted at a potential move to Real Madrid as he enters the final year of his contract with Manchester City. The midfielder, a native of Madrid, said he would be open to returning to LaLiga and could not ignore the appeal of the world’s top clubs.

The 29-year-old began his senior career with Villarreal CF before moving to Atletico Madrid in 2018. A year later, he joined City, where he has enjoyed a highly successful spell, winning the UEFA Champions League once and securing four Premier League titles, along with numerous other domestic and international honours.

“Would I like to play in Spain again, in LaLiga, in Madrid? I’d like to return, yes, obviously,” Rodri told Onda Cero’s Radioestadio Noche programme ahead of Spain’s friendly against Serbia on Friday.

He added: “I have a year left on my contract; there will come a point when we’ll have to sit down and talk.” Rodri’s comments have fueled speculation about a potential homecoming to LaLiga, with Real Madrid widely seen as the most likely destination.

Rodri, currently working his way back to full fitness after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in 2024, insisted that his past stint at Atletico Madrid would not prevent a move to their city rivals, Real Madrid.

Several former Atletico players have made the switch to Real over the years, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and forward Álvaro Morata.

“There are other players who have gone down that path—not straight away, but in time. You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world,” Rodri said, emphasizing his openness to a move.

Rodri also dismissed any notion of tension with Vinicius Jr following the controversy at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, when the City midfielder won the award ahead of the Brazilian winger, and Real subsequently boycotted the event.

“I think they wanted to pit Vinicius and me against each other, but not at all,” Rodri explained. “I have great respect for him and for everything he did that year too. In the end, it’s other people—third parties—who decide who wins the Ballon d’Or.”