Manchester City midfielder Rodri has opened the door to a future move to Real Madrid.
Real have long been admirers of the Ballon d’Or winner, with suggestions they will test City’s resolve this summer ramping up in the Spanish capital.
Rodri has one year left on his deal at the Etihad Stadium and is not in current negotiations over a new contract, with talks initially put on ice as he recovered from a cruciate knee ligament injury that completely derailed last season.
During a 48-minute interview with radio station Onda Cero while on international duty, Rodri revealed he will want a return to La Liga.
And even as a former Atletico Madrid player, switching to the Bernabeu would not represent an issue.
‘I’d like to return (to Spain), obviously,’ he said. ‘For me, La Liga is where I started. I still follow it, it’s true not as much as before, but I still follow it.
‘And I have to admit that the Premier League is my weakness. I think it’s a thrilling league but at the same time very demanding, meaning it pushes you to the limit. I’ve been there for seven years now, and I’m noticing the passage of time, but for the moment I’m very happy there.’
Rodri, who signed for City from Atletico in 2019, laughed when Real’s interest was put to him and moved to quash any suggestions of bad blood between him and Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian refused to show at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony on finding out that Rodri had pipped him to the crown, while City supporters would later unfurl a giant banner with their metronome kissing the trophy with the caption, ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’ ahead of a Champions League fixture between the sides.
‘They wanted to pit us against each other, but I have a deep admiration for Vinicius,’ Rodri added.
‘For me, you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world. They have a fanbase that really goes all out for them, and for me, the Bernabeu is always incredible, a stadium that’s very imposing.
‘I have one year left on my contract, there will come a point when we’ll have to sit down and talk.
‘I’m currently recovering from an injury, and what worries me right now is my feeling, my level, how to get back to my previous level. Not the contract issue, that will come, especially with a World Cup coming up, which is crucial for reaching my level.’
Asked if his past at Atletico would preclude a transfer to Real, Rodri replied: ‘No, I mean, there have been many players who have gone down that path, right? And especially not directly, but over time.’