Rodri insists “things might be different” regarding his Manchester City future if not for FIFA World Cup | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Rodri has insisted “things might be different now” if it was not for the upcoming FIFA World Cup across the Atlantic.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has entered the final year of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium, with no breakthrough on a new contract ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

It has been revealed this week that the 29-year-old wants a better offer from Manchester City than what has currently been tabled, with Real Madrid remain firmly in the background – adding further pressure to a situation director of football Hugo Viana will be desperate to resolve before it reaches the point of no return.

Rodri had already indicated he would not address his future until after the World Cup – and speaking again on the subject this week, the Spain international has elaborated on the reasoning behind that position.

I know exactly where I stand on Man City future: Rodri

Asked about the swirling speculation linking him with a departure from Manchester City, Rodri said: “When a player is approaching the final stage of his contract, it’s normal for names to be mentioned.

“I’m very calm, I know exactly where I stand and I’ll tell you that perhaps if there hadn’t been a World Cup, things might be different now.”

Rodri’s suggestion that things “might be different now” without the World Cup in the picture is the closest the 29-year-old has come to publicly acknowledging that contract talks with City are progressing – and that only the timing of the tournament has prevented a resolution being reached sooner.

What does Rodri’s comment mean for City’s contract talks?

Rather than the open-ended ambiguity of his earlier comments, the suggestion that a deal might already have been done under different circumstances points to a player who is not fundamentally opposed to staying – but who has placed the conversation on hold for reasons of focus and timing rather than intent.

Though he may want improved terms, Rodri’s tone suggests the desire to find a resolution exists on both sides, with the tournament across the Atlantic the primary reason any announcement has yet to come.

What is the wider context for Rodri’s future?

Rodri’s importance to Manchester City – and to Enzo Maresca‘s plans for the new era at the Etihad Stadium – cannot be overstated.

The 29-year-old spent the majority of last season on the sidelines through injury before returning in the final weeks of the campaign, and his presence at the base of City’s midfield remains as central to the club’s identity as any single player in the squad.

Real Madrid’s interest is persistent and will only intensify if Rodri enters the final twelve months of his deal without a new contract.

Viana has identified securing his signature as the most pressing priority of the summer – and Rodri’s words, carefully chosen as they are, suggest the feeling is mutual. The World Cup will end. And when it does, the most important transfer negotiation of City’s summer will finally reach its conclusion.