Also known as: Spain captain Rodri
Rodri — Barcelona midfielder who transferred from Manchester City, apologised for describing Valencia as "very weak" in September 2026.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Ghanaian Times
Spain midfielder, Rodri, has undergone minor back surgery, his Premier League club Manchester City said yesterday. …
Man City’s Rodri undergoes back surgeryThe Chronicle
Manchester City midfielder Rodri will be sidelined for a “short period of rehabilitation” following back surgery. …
Rodri out for ‘short period’ after back surgeryJoy Online
Manchester City midfielder Rodri will be sidelined for a “short period of rehabilitation” following back surgery. …
Rodri out for ‘short period’ after back surgeryThe Ghanaian Times
Manchester City are hopeful that Rodri will sign a new contract, but the club are braced for a bid from Real Madrid for the midfielder as well as moves from other suitors. …
Man City hopes Rodri stays despite Real Madrid interestJoy Online
World Cup winner Rodri will have surgery on a back issue on Monday, new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed. …
Rodri set to undergo back surgeryThe Ghanaian Times
… Nahuel Molina appeared to strike Spain’s captain Rodri in the stomach as he ran on to the pitch following the final whistle, while there was also a large melee on the halfway line, where Leandro Paredes appeared to grab Eric García by the throat before throwing Gavi to the ground …
Argentine players face ban over World Cup final brawlsDaily Guide
… Ferran Torres struck the decisive goal in extra time before captain Rodri lifted the World Cup trophy in New Jersey, sealing Spain’s second men’s World Cup title after a commanding performance in the final. …
Spain Hailed As Worthy World Cup ChampionsThe Ghanaian Times
… Trump and Infantino later presented the World Cup trophy to Spain captain Rodri the midfield general who had orchestrated La Roja’s superb win. …
Spain down Argentina to win World Cup, shatter Messi dreamJoy Online
… He’s 19 and has completed football.” With virtually his whole career in front of him, and taking in the experience and influence of Spain team-mates such as his captain and player of the tournament Rodri, there is every chance Lamine Yamal will add more successes like this before …
Lamine Yamal ‘completes football’ at 19 as Argentina betray MessiJoy Online
… Golden Ball (Best Player): Rodri (Spain)Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Unai Simón (Spain)Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsí (Spain)Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Kylian Mbappé (France) – 10 goals, becoming the first player to win the award twice. …
Spain battle past 10-man Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win World CupManchester City's new captain Ruben Dias says the club's summer signings are "desperate to win" and the whole squad is embracing new manager Enzo Maresca's ideas. City spent a Premier League record £458m in the transfer window on players including Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, though they lost key players including 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri.
12 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Manchester City's new captain Ruben Dias says the club's summer signings are "desperate to win" and the whole squad is embracing new manager Enzo Maresca's ideas. City spent a Premier League record £458m in the transfer window on players including Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, though they lost key players including 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri.
12 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Barcelona midfielder Rodri apologised to Valencia's squad after television footage appeared to show him describing them as "very weak" following Barcelona's 5-0 win against Valencia on Sunday. Rodri said the comment was an expression of surprise made in a private conversation and that he did not intend to mock Valencia or be disrespectful.
11 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Barcelona sporting director Deco explained that Anthony Gordon's playing style aligns better with coach Hansi Flick's tactics than Marcus Rashford's, though Rashford scored 14 goals during his loan spell last season. Gordon joined Barcelona from Newcastle for more than 80m euros, while Rashford returned to Manchester United after Barcelona declined to exercise their £30.3m purchase option.
10 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Thierry Henry has backed Kylian Mbappé to win the Ballon d'Or over Harry Kane, citing Mbappé's 25 goals in LaLiga and 15 in the Champions League last season. He also named Bayern Munich's Michael Olise as a strong candidate, ahead of Kane despite Kane's 36 Bundesliga goals.
10 September 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Senegal forward Sadio Mane and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi are among 30 nominees for the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or. Mane was named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and helped Al Nassr win the league title, while Hakimi has impressed at Paris Saint-Germain and could become the first Moroccan to win the award.
8 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe believes this could be a good year for him to win the Ballon d'Or for the first time, citing his record 22 World Cup goals and his move to the club he describes as "the best in the world."
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Barcelona defeated bottom-placed Valencia 5-0 at Mestalla, with Fermin Lopez starring and Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Pedri also scoring. The win moves Barcelona three points clear at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid's loss to Real Betis.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Barcelona have signed Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal on a three-year contract. British media reported the deal was worth about £8.6 million ($11.5 million), making Jesus Barcelona's sixth signing of the transfer window.
2 September 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Manchester City have signed midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for £125m, a joint-British transfer record that takes City's spending to a Premier League-record £458m this window. Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for £107m, had requested to leave after becoming unsettled at Stamford Bridge.
1 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Barcelona have completed the permanent signing of Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal for £8.6m (10m euros). Jesus, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 and scored 32 goals in 123 appearances, had fallen down the pecking order due to injury and competition from other forwards.
1 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Manchester City have agreed to pay £125m for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, matching a British transfer record. Fernandez will undergo a medical before signing a long-term deal with City, reuniting him with manager Enzo Maresca.
1 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Manchester City have opened negotiations with Chelsea to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with Chelsea demanding a minimum of £120m. Manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with Fernandez at Chelsea, is keen on the move, and personal terms are not an issue if the clubs can agree on a fee.
1 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Barcelona are closing in on a transfer for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, valued at £8.6m, with the deal expected to be completed before Tuesday's deadline. The 29-year-old Brazil international is set to travel for a medical on Monday.
31 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Barcelona won 2–0 at home against Athletic Club with goals from Raphinha and Fermin Lopez, extending their unbeaten La Liga start. Rodri made his debut for Barcelona as a second-half substitute following his £65m transfer from Manchester City.
27 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Manchester United have signed Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton for £70m (£65m initial plus £5m in add-ons), while Manchester City have signed 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi on a five-year contract for £81.4m upfront plus £4.2m in add-ons.
27 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Manchester City are expected to make an offer for Chelsea's Argentina international Enzo Fernandez, with the club setting an unofficial £120m minimum fee. The 25-year-old has been identified as a priority target by manager Enzo Maresca following several high-profile midfield departures.
26 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Manchester City have reached an agreement in principle worth €100m (£85.6m) to sign 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Lille to receive an initial £81.4m plus £4.2m in add-ons. The deal comes after City's midfield departures and follows their £116m signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
24 August 2026 · Daily Guide →
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has received a 10-match ban from FIFA's disciplinary committee for on-field clashes after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Teammate Nahuel Molina was given a seven-match suspension, and the Argentine Football Association was fined $321,000 for breaches including team misconduct and discriminatory chants.
21 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo has rejoined Barcelona permanently after his Al-Hilal contract was mutually terminated, signing a three-year deal as a free agent. Cancelo spent last season on loan at Barca, helping them win La Liga, and this marks his first permanent move to the club after two previous loan spells.
21 August 2026 · Daily Guide →
Premier League chief Richard Masters has criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino's now-abandoned plan to create a company managing World Cup commercial and ticketing rights with 21% sold to private investors, calling it a "self-inflicted wound." Masters backed the FA's withdrawal of support for Infantino and called for a new unity candidate for FIFA president.
18 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Manchester City have opened advanced negotiations with Lille for Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, valued at around €100 million (£85.6m), as they prepare for Spain captain Rodri's departure to Barcelona. The 18-year-old has made 88 appearances for Lille and featured prominently for Morocco at this summer's World Cup.
18 August 2026 · Daily Guide →
A new Amazon Prime documentary captures Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola telling his players he was "incredibly sad" about captain Kyle Walker's request to leave the club. Walker joined AC Milan on loan in January 2025 after asking Guardiola for a fresh challenge.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Manchester City are in advanced talks with Lille to sign Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for 100m euros (£85.6m) this week after agreeing to sell Rodri to Barcelona. The Premier League club also remain interested in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Spain midfielder Rodri has arrived in Barcelona to complete his move from Manchester City for about £65m, signing a four-year contract with the La Liga champions. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner left City after seven seasons, during which he won 12 major honours.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Barcelona have agreed to sign Spain captain Rodri from Manchester City for approximately £65m on a four-year deal. The 30-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, leaves City after seven seasons and 12 major honours.
16 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is set to join Saudi Pro-League outfit Al-Qadsiah in a £52m deal. The 28-year-old Dutch international, who cost City £46.5m when he joined from AC Milan last summer, made seven goals in 47 appearances but struggled to make a significant impact.
13 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Omar Marmoush scored two goals in three minutes as Manchester City came from behind to defeat Atletico Madrid 3-1 in a friendly in Seoul, South Korea, with Antoine Semenyo providing both assists.
9 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Barcelona has obtained approval from Rodri to open contract negotiations with Manchester City, joining Real Madrid's long-standing interest in the 30-year-old midfielder, who is in the final year of his deal at City and currently recovering from back surgery.
7 August 2026 · The Chronicle →
Brazil winger Vinicius Jr has agreed a new six-year contract with Real Madrid keeping him at the club until 30 June 2032, ending speculation over a potential move to Arsenal.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has backed new manager Enzo Maresca as the right choice to replace Pep Guardiola, saying the Italian has quality and new ideas, though he acknowledges it will take time for the team to adapt to the change.
3 August 2026 · Joy Online →