Former Barcelona midfielder tips Camp Nou to impact Rodri’s Man City future amid Real Madrid interest | OneFootball

Rodri’s future at Manchester City could be impacted by the influence of Barcelona on the Etihad Stadium, according to one former Camp Nou midfielder.

Uncertainty surrounding the Spanish international’s long-term plans has intensified in recent weeks, with continuous and seemingly non-stop reports from Spain linking him with a potential return to La Liga – and specifically Real Madrid.

With his current contract running until the end of the 2026/27 season and no official confirmation of an extension yet developing, speculation has naturally gathered pace ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

Manchester City, for their part, remain determined to retain one of the most influential players of the Pep Guardiola era. The 29-year-old has become the heartbeat of the side, dictating tempo and providing balance in midfield, and his importance has only been underlined following his return from a serious knee injury.

While interest from abroad is not new, suggestions of a possible move to Real Madrid have added fresh intrigue to the situation. However, one former Barcelona man believes the deep-rooted connections between City and the Catalan giants could prove decisive.

Speaking during a recent interview relayed by SPORT, former Barca midfielder Gaizka Mendieta insisted that he feels as though the impact Barcelona has had indirectly on City would make it very difficult for Rodri to ever join Real Madrid.

“If he leaves Manchester City, I imagine an agreement will be reached with the club,” said Mendieta. “Furthermore, there’s a strong connection with Barcelona,” he continued.

“Txiki Begiristain [former sporting director] was there, and of course, Pep Guardiola too. But in the end, Rodri will decide personally. And I think it would be very difficult for him to sign for Real Madrid.”

But offering his own thoughts on Rodri’s chances of leaving Manchester City, Mendieta said, “Personally, I think it’ll be difficult for him to leave, especially knowing how attached Rodri is to the club. It’d have to be an extreme situation in which he was practically forced to leave.”

“If there are changes [to Pep Guardiola’s position as Manchester City manager], the time has come for Rodri to reflect on his future.”

The influence of figures such as Pep Guardiola and Begiristain, both of whom share deep ties with Barcelona, has long shaped City’s footballing identity. That shared philosophy and structural link has often blurred the lines between the Etihad Stadium and Camp Nou, making a direct switch to Real Madrid a complex proposition.

Much could hinge on Guardiola’s own future, and should there be significant change at managerial level, it may naturally prompt reflection among senior players, Rodri included.

For now, though, the midfielder remains central to City’s ambitions, and any decision over his next move appears far from imminent. With negotiations viewed in some quarters as ongoing and interest mounting from Spain, Rodri’s future continues to be one of the notable talking points heading towards the summer.