Whatever happens this summer Manchester City must keep their Ballon d’Or winner | OneFootball

The importance of Rodri to Manchester City cannot be overlooked. Rodri remains integral to City’s midfield. Given that the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders are entering a new era, Rodri will play a vital role as a leader as well as being the heartbeat of Manchester City’s midfield next season. As important as Rodri is to Manchester City, there are doubts surrounding his long-term future at the club as the Spanish international only has 12 months left on his current contract. Whatever happens with Rodri’s contract negotiations, City cannot lose their Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder this summer. He is integral to City and he will play a key role for City once again next season.

Rodri remains one of the best midfielders in world football and Manchester City cannot lose that for next season.

As Spain beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their second Group H fixture of this summer’s World Cup overnight, Rodri showed his importance to his country with a proper leader’s display in midfield. The Manchester City midfielder bossed the match and his work both in and out of possession laid the foundation for a powerful win from Spain. Rodri came in for criticism following Spain’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in their opening Group H fixture. But he responded with a strong display overnight.

Speaking ahead of Spain’s win over Saudi Arabia, their coach Luis de la Fuente responded to the criticism that Rodri slows the Spanish play down after Spain’s draw with Cape Verde. The Spain coach explained in quotes relayed by ESPN: “It seems incredibly insulting to me that people would say that about the best player in the world. Would people say that about others who are considered the best in the world? I think they wouldn’t dare.”

“But because they’re Spanish, we say things about our own that we wouldn’t about others… Rodri is the best player in the world. Even at 50%, he is better than most other midfielders in the world. He brings clarity, vision, balance. Rodri is an inspiration for us.”

Rodri remains one of, if not, the premier midfielder in world football. He has battled his way back from a serious knee injury. Rodri did battle his own body throughout the 2025-26 season. But he remains crucial for Manchester City and Spain. City cannot afford to lose Rodri this summer. The chances of that occurring seem slim. But it is a blow that City cannot suffer and Luis de la Fuente’s comments are a reminder of just how good Rodri remains as a player.

Rodri’s contract negotiations are now on hold.

Fabrizio Romano reported yesterday that Manchester City’s bid to extend Rodri’s contract is now on hold. As per Romano’s report, no agreement has been reached with the Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder to extend his contract with Manchester City. Furthermore, Romano reports that the possibility that Rodri could leave City as a free agent in a year’s time is very much real.

It cannot be disputed that Rodri has more than earned the right to decide whether or not he leaves Manchester City on a free transfer in 12 months’ time. He has won every trophy on offer plus the Ballon d’Or in his time at the club. His contribution to club has been immense.

You do sense that Rodri has one more contribution to make at Manchester City. He will be vital in leading the way as City embark on a new era without Pep Guardiola. Rodri is an inspirational figure at City and he cannot be allowed to leave this summer. There doesn’t seem to be any suitors around to sign Rodri this summer. That bodes well for City as they will need Rodri for what lies ahead during the 2026-27 season.