Rodri to Delay Contract Talks Until After World Cup Amid Real Madrid Links

The Manchester City midfielder Rodri has said he will wait until after the World Cup to address his future, amid reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

The Ballon d’Or winning midfielder is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium in 2027, and has indicated he would like to return to play in his native Spain at some stage in his career. Rodri joined City from Atlético Madrid in 2019.

Rodri has emerged as a potential transfer target for the Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, who is set to challenge the incumbent Florentino Pérez in this weekend’s election.

“I try not to give too much importance [to the rumours]. I know it’s part of the job,” Rodri told reporters at Spain’s pre-World Cup training camp on the outskirts of Madrid. “Especially when a player is approaching the final stage of his contract, it’s normal for names to be mentioned.”

“I’m very calm, I know exactly where I stand, and I’ll tell you that perhaps if there hadn’t been a World Cup, things might be different now,” the 29-year-old added.

Rodri has won four Premier League titles with City and played a key role in the club’s first Champions League triumph three years ago, but has struggled with injuries since suffering a cruciate ligament tear against Arsenal in September 2024.

“With a World Cup ahead, my responsibility is to stay focused,” Rodri added. “Anything related to my future will wait until after the World Cup.”

The tournament begins on 11 June, and is being held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Spain face Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.

Saliba ‘very doubtful’ for World Cup opener

The Arsenal defender William Saliba is doubtful for France’s World Cup opener against Senegal due to a back injury, ESPN reported Monday.

The centre-back will undergo scans Monday to determine the extent of his injury, but France are reportedly worried that he could miss the entire tournament. France will also face Iraq and Norway in Group I, before the knockout stages.

Saliba played in 50 of Arsenal’s 63 games across all competitions this season, helping the Gunners win the Premier League title. He reportedly suffered back pain after Saturday’s Champions League final loss against Paris Saint-Germain, although Didier Deschamps brushed off concerns on Monday, saying: “He’s here, everything is fine.”