Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has become a Barcelona player. The Spanish midfielder has left English club Manchester City and signed a contract with the Catalan side, reports infohub.kz.
The agreement with the 30-year-old footballer runs until June 30, 2030. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed. Rodri's transfer value is estimated at 55 million euros. According to media reports, the total fee including bonuses could reach 75 million euros.
Rodri had one year left on his contract with Manchester City, where he had played since 2019. During his time with the Citizens, the midfielder won numerous trophies, including the Champions League and English Premier League (EPL) titles. Manchester City thanked Rodri for his seven years at the club and released a tribute video.
Barcelona have hailed the new signing as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. The Catalan club presented the Spaniard as a player who "stands out for his tactical intelligence, composure on the ball, tackling skills, and passing accuracy."
"One of Rodri's main strengths is his ability to read the game. He knows how to anticipate opponents' moves, often regains possession, and makes passes with incredible precision. Despite his defensive role, he is also capable of joining the attack and scoring important goals. He stands out for his professionalism, humility, and work ethic," said a Barcelona statement.
Rodri began his professional career at Villarreal. He then played for Atletico Madrid in Spain, from where he moved to Manchester City.
In 2024, the midfielder won the Ballon d'Or. With the Spanish national team, he won the European Championship (2024) and the World Cup (2026), being named the best player at both tournaments.