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Real Madrid Targets World Cup Golden Ball Rodri

7/23/2026

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Summary

Real Madrid Pursues Rodri

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has reportedly approved the pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who has one year left on his contract.
Rodri, the World Cup best player, said he will decide his future after the tournament.
Manchester United are monitoring the saga and could target French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni if Rodri leaves for Real Madrid.
Manchester City have already spent a club-record fee on Elliot Anderson.

Summary

Rodri Surgery

Rodri, the 30-year-old Spain captain who earned the World Cup Golden Ball, will undergo back surgery, with no timetable for his return.
His back problems stem from an ACL rupture in September 2024 that sidelined him for most of the 2024-25 season.
Enzo Maresca will start the 2026-27 season without Rodri, relying on £116 million signing Elliot Anderson and expecting departures of Mateo Kovacic, Nico González, with Bernardo Silva already gone.

History

Historical Context

Real Madrid’s habit of splurging on stars began in 2009 when Florentino Pérez completed Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80 million move from Manchester United, a world-record fee that launched a new era of high-cost transfers. The club’s current chase of Rodri and Manchester City’s signing of Elliot Anderson show the same escalating spending pattern.

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Real Madrid Pursues Rodri

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has reportedly approved the pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who has one year left on his contract.
Rodri, the World Cup best player, said he will decide his future after the tournament.
Manchester United are monitoring the saga and could target French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni if Rodri leaves for Real Madrid.
Manchester City have already spent a club-record fee on Elliot Anderson.

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