‘Just Knock on the Door’ - Pep Guardiola Responds to Rodri Over Real Madrid Comments

Pep Guardiola has made Manchester City's stance clear regarding Rodri's future, stating the club is determined to secure the midfielder with a new contract despite interest from Real Madrid.

The Spanish international, whose current deal at the Etihad Stadium is entering its final year, has been linked with the La Liga giants.

During the recent international break, Rodri acknowledged the appeal of a potential move to the Santiago Bernabeu, suggesting his past with rivals Atletico Madrid would not be a barrier.

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With the Ballon d'Or winner approaching the last 12 months of his contract, speculation has intensified. However, speaking ahead of City's FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool, Guardiola addressed the situation surrounding his key midfielder, who is returning to form after a serious knee injury sustained in September 2024.

Guardiola affirmed the club's position, stating, "I know what the club wants. They informed me what they want from Rodri - it is to stay, stay, stay.”

When asked if the player shared that desire, the City manager expressed cautious optimism. "I think so," he said. "I always had the positive [feeling] with that but at the end I don’t know."

Rodri's decision could be influenced by Guardiola's own future, as speculation persists that the manager might leave the club at the end of the season.

Despite the club's desire to keep him, Guardiola conceded that Manchester City would not force an unhappy player to stay, provided a suitable offer is made.

"The organisation of the club is above all of us - if one player is not happy, they have to leave," Guardiola explained. "If he is not happy, just knock on the door of the sporting director, [who will] accept an offer according to his incredible quality and after that he don’t belong to the club."

Guardiola, however, admitted that it would be hard for any player, not just Rodri, to turn down Madrid if they showed interest.

“There isn’t a single player who would turn down the chance to play for Real Madrid. My wish has always been for Rodri to stay at this club for as long as possible, because he is an amazing player of the highest calibre, but everyone’s life is their own,” he further stated.