Man City ace Rodri hits out at links with Enrique Riquelme’s campaign: ‘Don’t know where this came from’ | OneFootball

Enrique Riquelme may have lost Real Madrid’s presidential election, but he did earn a fair vote share against Florentino Perez and firmly established himself as one for the future.

His electoral campaign revolved around star signings, a star managerial recruitment and safeguarding of the club’s ownership model.

Of them, his claims of signing Erling Haaland and Rodri caught the maximum media attention, primarily because many saw the signings as impossible. Riquelme, however, backed his word until the very end.

Rodri smashes Riquelme’s claims

The Manchester City star and Ballon d’Or winner spoke to El Larguero via Fabrizio Romano in a recent interview while on duty with the Spanish national team.

Rodri was linked with Riquelme’s project. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

As part of the same, he was asked directly about Riquelme’s comments on him being the ‘star signing’ in his project.

“I don’t know where this came from!” he began, calling out the bluff.

He did, however, make it clear that he understood the purpose of the statement made by the Real Madrid presidential candidate, but added that he himself has not given a thought to his next step.

“I understand, it’s part of the game. I haven’t even thought about my future.”

Finally, the player openly honoured his contract with Manchester City and swiftly shifted his attention to the current international mega-tournament.

“My focus is on the World Cup. I’m under contract at Man City.”

Manager’s discretion

Mourinho is against Rodri’s arrival. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Beyond Rodri’s links with Riquelme’s campaign, the player has also been a target for Florentino Perez’s board in recent months and transfer windows.

Jose Mourinho, the new Real Madrid manager, however, did not want the Manchester City ace in his squad and made it clear that the Spanish mainstay would not fit into his plans.

His preferred midfield targets have been the likes of Vitinha and Joao Neves, although the club is now closing in on the signing of Bernardo Silva on his special request.

For Rodri, the door to Real Madrid appears to have closed and will likely never open again.

Even if the club require a player possessing his profile, he is unlikely to be a target for Perez given how he was linked with a direct rival’s campaign.