“I’d blow my entire year’s salary” – How Manchester City’s Rodri has stayed humble despite Ballon d’Or glory | OneFootball

Manchester City star Rodri has doubled down on his down-to-earth attitude despite having reached the pinnacle of professional football by winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

The 29-year-old became the first player in the history of Manchester City to win the coveted individual honour after leading the Blues to a record fourth successive Premier League title in 2024 before spearheading Spain to European Championship glory.

Rodri has been a revelation since joining forces with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium from Atletico Madrid in 2019, though he has recently made clear that his past with Los Colchoneros will not stop him from exploring a move to Real Madrid in the future.

Executives at the Etihad Stadium are expected to hold contract talks with the midfielder in the summer, with Rodri approaching the final 12 months of his current deal and uncertainty rising over his future in Manchester.

Rodri: Many things change with the Ballon d’Or

In a wide-ranging interview for Onda Cero’s Radioestadio Noche show, Rodri has given a peak through the curtain into how winning the Ballon d’Or has altered his life on and off the pitch.

“With the Ballon d’Or, there are many things that change but what I try is for it not to change me,” the Spaniard said. “Perhaps I’m an atypical footballer – I don’t have social media, I don’t have tattoos.

“With my first pay check (from football), I bought a used car. People tell me they find it weird; to me it seems totally normal. If I bought a fancy car, I’d blow my entire year’s salary.”

Rodri’s unconventional attitude to the wealth and fame that come with professional football have earned his great plaudits over the years, since the Manchester City star lived in university residences in Madrid and Manchester whilst studying Management and Business Administration at Castellon University.

Will Rodri stay at Manchester City next season?

Rodri has sparked some doubt over his future at the Etihad Stadium by opening the door to the Santiago Bernabeu, admitting that he will not ignore transfer interest from the Spanish capital if Los Blancos were to make him an offer.

City were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Real Madrid for the third successive season a few weeks ago, with Alvaro Arbeloa‘s men earning a 5-1 aggregate triumph over two legs of a Round of 16 tie to set up a quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich.

Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana and co are expected to propose a new contract to Rodri in the hope of tying the midfielder down to a fresh, long-term deal and fend off interest from Spain.

However, Rodri is believed to be keen on returning to his hometown and could very well be playing in the white of Real Madrid in 2027 – if not next season.