MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola says unhappy players can leave the club, but he hopes midfielder Rodri will stay.
During the international break, ex-Atletico Madrid player Rodri said he would consider joining their city rivals Real as “you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world”.
The 29-year-old Spain captain has made 293 appearances for City since joining in 2019 and will be out of contract next summer.
“There is not one player that will turn [down] the chance to play for [Real] Madrid,” said Guardiola.
“Always my wish is that Rodri could stay as long as possible in this club because he is an incredible, top player but the life of everyone is everyone’s.”
Rodri won the Ballon d’Or in 2024 but missed almost the entirety of last season after sustaining a knee injury and City failed to win a major trophy for the first time in eight years.
He has missed large chunks of this campaign because of a hamstring issue but has played 28 games in all competitions, helping the side to win the Carabao Cup against Arsenal at Wembley.
During his time at City, Rodri has won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and three League Cups.
Rodri previously said to Spanish media: “There have been many players who’ve gone down that path [playing for Atletico and Real].
“Not immediately, but over time. For me, you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.”
Guardiola said Rodri has shown over time “how attached, how close he is” to City and his “contribution has been massive”.
The manager confirmed he would “absolutely” not stand in the midfielder’s way if he wanted to leave, adding: “The organisation of the club is above all of us – if one player is not happy they have to leave and [we] continue the same always if they are happy – and I think he is happy.
“If he is not happy just knock on the door of the sporting director, accept an offer according to his incredible quality and after that he doesn’t belong to the club – only himself.
“I know what the club wants. They informed me what they want from Rodri – it is to stay, stay, stay. I always had the positive [feeling] with that but at the end I don’t know.”