FC Barcelona and Manchester City have reached an agreement for the transfer of Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known in the football world as Rodri, who is committing to the Catalan club until 30 June 2030.
Born in Madrid on 22 June 1996, the Spanish international plays as a holding midfielder and is considered one of the best players in the world in his position. He stands out for his tactical intelligence, composure on the ball, ability to regain possession and precision in his passing.
Rodri came through the youth ranks at Atlético Madrid, although he completed his development at Villarreal, the club where he made his debut in the Spanish top flight. His impressive performances prompted Atlético to bring him back in 2018. After an excellent season under Diego Simeone, Manchester City signed him in 2019.
Key figure for Guardiola's Man City
At Man City, his consistency, ability to control the tempo of games and leadership helped the team win numerous trophies, including several Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in 2023, when he scored the decisive goal that secured the club's first European crown.
Rodri has also played a hugely important role for the Spanish national team. He won Euro 2024, a triumph that cemented his status as one of the world's leading players and culminated in him winning the Ballon d'Or that same year. More recently, he also played a key role in Spain's World Cup triumph alongside eight Barça players, and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
Professionalism and humility
One of Rodri's greatest strengths is his reading of the game. He knows how to anticipate his opponents' moves, wins back possession frequently and distributes the ball with extraordinary precision. Despite occupying a defensive position, he is also capable of joining the attack and scoring important goals. He also stands out for his professionalism, humility and work ethic.